Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren seeks farewell match for MS Dhoni

After the former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to organise a farewell match for him.

"MS Dhoni, who has given the country and Jharkhand countless moments to be proud of, today retired from international cricket," a tweet from the official handle of Chief Minister's Office read.

मुख्यमंत्री श्री @HemantSorenJMM ने भारतीय क्रिकेट टीम के पूर्व कप्तान श्री @msdhoni द्वारा अंतराष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट से संन्यास की घोषणा के बाद कहा कि देश और झारखण्ड को गर्व और उत्साह के अनेक क्षण देने वाले माही ने आज अंतरराष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट से संन्यास ले लिया है।

— Office of Chief Minister, Jharkhand (@JharkhandCMO) August 15, 2020

"We will never be able to see Mahi, our beloved son of Jharkhand, in the blue jersey of India again. But the people of this country have not yet had their heart's fill. I would like to see a farewell match for our Mahi in Ranchi which will be seen by the entire world. I appeal to the BCCI to organise one farewell match for Mahi which will be hosted by Jharkhand," another tweet read.

हम सबके चहेते झारखण्ड का लाल माही को नीली जर्सी पहने अब नहीं देख पायेंगे। लेकिन देशवासियों का दिल अभी भरा नहीं। मैं मानता हूँ। हमारे माही का एक फ़ेयरवेल मैच रांची में हो जिसका गवाह पूरा विश्व बने। @BCCI से अपील करना चाहूँगा। माही का फेयरवेल मैच कराया जाये। मेजबानी झारखण्ड करेगा।

— Office of Chief Minister, Jharkhand (@JharkhandCMO) August 15, 2020

While the BCCI paid tribute to the 2011 World Cup-winning former captain after he made his announcement on his Instagram handle, it did not speak of any plans for a farewell match.

"Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has announced his retirement from international cricket. The boy from Ranchi, who made his ODI debut in 2004, changed the face of Indian cricket with his calm demeanor, sharp understanding of the game, and astute leadership qualities," said BCCI in its statement.

Dhoni posted a video montage containing images from various points of his international career on his Instagram account. "Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as Retired (sic)," he said in his caption to the post.

Indian cricketer Suresh Raina also announced his retirement from international cricket minutes after Dhoni's announcement on Instagram.