NEW DELHI, Jan 5: From Michael Clarke to Rohit Sharma, the global cricket fraternity today woke up singing paeans to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, hours after India�s most successful skipper sprang a surprise by stepping down from limited overs captaincy.
The 35-year-old Dhoni, under whom India had won two World Cups and a Champions Trophy title, stunned the fraternity yesterday night by relinquishing the captaincy, barely 11 days before the ODI series against England.
Australia�s former captain Clarke wrote on his twitter handle, �I think @msdhoni will go down as one of India�s most successful captains. He is a great man and still has a lot to offer to Indian cricket.
�It is now time for @imVkohli to captain all three forms in my opinion. He is a superstar and is ready for the challenge.�
Former England skipper Michel Vaughan described Dhoni as one of the greatest captains to have ever led a cricket team. �Even one of the greatest captains of all time decides enough is enough ... Well done @msdhoni on an incredible leadership term,� Vaughan said.
Pakistan�s dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi praised Dhoni for shaping the Indian cricket team.
�Huge credit to #MSDhoni for shaping Indian team. Great captain and leader, big inspiration for cricketers around the world.�
Back home, the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma, who blossomed under Dhoni�s leadership, waxed eloquence on their first India captain.
�Thank you @msdhoni bhai for being a leader that I have learnt a lot from. Thank you my first international captain!� Rahane tweeted.
In a series of tweets, he added, �It�s about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it.� � PTI