BCA Secretary claims MS Dhoni was pressurized to step down

In a very unusual turn of events, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) secretary Aditya Verma has alleged that MS Dhoni was forced into stepping down as India’s captain. As per the quotes in TOI, Verma mentioned that the BCCI joint secretary Amitabh Choudhary was miffed with Dhoni’s refusal to take part in the Ranji Trophy semi-final despite a request from Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA). Incidentally, Chaudhary was the president of the JSCA till 2nd January.

MS Dhoni refused to play for Jharkhand in the semi-final against Gujarat. Dhoni, however, was present at Nagpur during the match as the unofficial mentor of the state team. As per Aditya Verma, it was a very annoyed Chaudhary who then made a phone call to the chief selector MSK Prasad. Prasad subsequently was asked to question Dhoni’s future plan. Verma believes that it was due to this that MSK Prasad questioned Dhoni and his future plans and eventually pressurised him to step down as the captain of the Indian team.

“Choudhary was unhappy with the fact that Jharkhand lost to Gujarat despite being in a commanding position under Dhoni’s mentorship. Choudhary then telephoned MSK Prasad and instructed the latter to ask the cricketer about his future plans. Dhoni was hurt with the whole episode and sent across his resignation soon after,” Verma quoted.

The truthfulness of the words can only be verified once Amitabh Chaudhary speaks on the issue. Interestingly, MS Dhoni himself never came to the media and gave the decision. It was the chief selector and the BCCI who released the press statement on his behalf. In fact, Dhoni is yet to come out and speak on the decision in public. Earlier, on January 4, the BCCI released a statement wherein they announced that MS Dhoni has stepped down as the captain of the Indian limited overs team.