Dhoni to retire? #DhoniRetires on Twitter sends fans into panic mode

Fans of Mahendra Singh Dhoni had the shock of their lives early today as #DhoniRetires started trending on Twitter, leading to speculations that the former Indian skipper might have announced his retirement from the shorter format of the game, too.

Dhoni retired from Tests on December 30, 2014, midway through the India-Australia Test series, leaving his fans and cricket world shell-shocked.

So, when #DhoniRetires started trending on Tuesday morning, fans expected the worst. Many started putting out tributes to the 38-year-old. Others started sharing their favourite Dhoni moment.

It soon came to light that Dhoni had made no such announcement and nor was there any confirmation on his retirement. Soon, fans started countering it with #NeverRetireDhoni.

There has been much talk about Dhoni's future, with the former skipper having taken a sabbatical post India's World Cup exit in the semifinal against New Zealand. Since then, Dhoni, an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army, joined his unit in the south Kashmir region to carry out patrolling, guard duties and similar responsibilities just like other soldiers.

He played golf in the United States and then showed up in the Indian dressing room at the end of their Test series triumph against South Africa in his hometown Ranchi on Tuesday.

Though Team India captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri have thrown their weight behind the veteran, saying that the decision is best left to Dhoni, the selectors had hinted recently that they have “moved on” from the wicketkeeper-batsman.

"I made it very clear post the World Cup that we are moving on,” chief selector M.S.K. Prasad had said. “We are giving opportunities to youngsters and see that they establish themselves in the side. With Rishabh Pant doing so well and even Sanju Samson coming into the side, I am sure you must be understanding our thought process."

Newly-elected BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has said that he will talk to Dhoni to know what he has in mind about his cricketing future.

"He is one of the greats of the game and India is proud to have MS Dhoni over a period of time. If you even sit down and take a note of what he has done, you say, 'Wow, MS Dhoni'," Ganguly had said.

"It depends on him. I have always said when I was left out and the entire world said 'I will never make it'. I came back and played for four years."

Till I am around, everybody will be respected and that doesn't change," Ganguly had said.