While the entire cricket fraternity is left wondering what led to MS Dhoni’s sudden retirement from Tests, Team India director Ravi Shastri’s interference in matters related to the team is cited to be one of the main reasons, according to sources.
The sources have added, ever since Shastri was associated with the Indian team, his proximity to Virat Kohli has only increased with time, something which hasn’t gone too well with Dhoni.
While many criticised Dhoni’s decision to say goodbye to Test cricket on foreign soil, he wasn’t too happy with the environment around him, where Shastri was not only getting closer to Kohli, but was making a significant impact on the team management as well.
Amid all this, Duncan Fletcher, who was close to Dhoni, was also getting sidelined.
Meanwhile, there were also reports of unrest in the Indian dressing room during the second Test, when Shikhar Dhawan got himself injured before play resumed on Day 4, which forced Kohli to resume the innings with Cheteshwar Pujara on a very short notice.
Soon after India drew the third Test with Australia, Dhoni took everybody by surprise as he announced retirement from Tests with immediate effect.
Kohli, who made his Test captaincy debut in the first Test, will now lead India in the fourth Test in Sydney.
