BCCI considering farewell match for Dhoni

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating hosting a farewell match for former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who retired from international cricket on the Independence Day.

Speaking to IANS, a senior BCCI official revealed that the board will discuss the possibility during the upcoming Indian Premier League and plan accordingly.

"There is no international series right now, maybe after IPL we will see what can be done because Dhoni has done a lot for the nation and he deserves all the respect. We always wanted to have a farewell match for him but Dhoni is a different player. He announced his retirement when nobody was thinking of it," the official said.

On being asked if the discussion has taken between the board and Dhoni, the official said, "No, but surely we will speak to him during the IPL and that would be the right place to get his opinion about a match or series. Well, there will be a proper felicitation ceremony for him no matter if he agrees on it or not. That will be our honour to felicitate him."

Earlier, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had also expressed his desire to have a farewell match for Dhoni. Soren had appealed to the board, saying that Jharkhand would like to play the host for the farewell game.

Dhoni, who led Team India to three ICC trophies ICC WT20 (2007), ICC World Cup (2011), and ICC Champions Trophy (2013), had announced his retirement through a post on social media.