MS Dhoni shouldn't have retired altogether from Test cricket: Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has said that he is surprised by Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to quit Test Cricket altogether. The 33-year-old announced his retirement from the longer format on Tuesday at the conclusion of the third Test at Melbourne, after representing India in 90 Tests.

The 42-year-old is of the opinion that had Dhoni given up captaincy but continued to play Test matches, it would have revitalised him as a cricketer and he could have approached the game with a lot more freedom.

"I feel the decision to give up captaincy was right, though I think the decision not to play Test cricket is an incorrect one," Ganguly wrote in the Hindustan Times

"I have been in this situation before and I can bet it would have allowed Dhoni to play freely and do justice to his talent. We would have seen a rejuvenated Dhoni for the remaining part of his Test career as he still had cricket left in him," Ganguly said.

The former left-hander had earlier said that Dhoni’s captaincy in Test Cricket wasn't impressive and praised Virat Kohli for the passion he showed towards the game.

He could’ve waited till the series was over: Ganguly

Ganguly also questioned Dhoni 's decision to quit in the middle of the series, saying that he could've waited till the series had finished.

"I would be brutally honest that I am surprised by the decision in the middle of the series. Three Tests are over and it was a question of one more. He could have finished it off.

"None of us know whether this decision in the middle of the series could have happened because of an injury, which would have ruled him out of the next Test. He did come into the series with a finger injury and none of us has an idea whether that had become worse," Ganguly wrote.