<p> 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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"It is now time for @imVkohli to captain all three forms in my opinion. He is a superstar and is ready for the challenge."<br /><br />Former England skipper Michel Vaughan described Dhoni as one of the greatest captains to have ever led a cricket team.<br /><br />"Even one of the greatest captains of all time decides enough is enough ... Well done @msdhoni on an incredible leadership term," Vaughan said.<br /><br />Pakistan's dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi praised Dhoni for shaping the Indian cricket team.<br /><br />"Huge credit to #MSDhoni for shaping Indian team. Great captain and leader, big inspiration for cricketers around the world."<br /><br />Back home, the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma, who blossomed under Dhoni's leadership, waxed eloquence on their first India captain.<br /><br />"Thank you @msdhoni bhai for being a leader that I have learnt a lot from. Thank you my first international captain!" Rahane tweeted.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts."<br /><br />Dhoni's decision has now paved the way for Test captain Virat Kohli to take over the mantle of the limited overs team as well.<br /><br />Sharma said on the social networking site, "A true leader @msdhoni he influenced so many cricketing careers including mine when he asked me to open in the ICC Champions Trophy. Will miss you at the helm."<br /><br />Limited overs specialist Suresh Raina said, "India's most successful captain @msdhoni who translated his vision into reality. Inspired many to dream more, do more and become more. Salute! <br /></p>
<p> 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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"It is now time for @imVkohli to captain all three forms in my opinion. He is a superstar and is ready for the challenge."<br /><br />Former England skipper Michel Vaughan described Dhoni as one of the greatest captains to have ever led a cricket team.<br /><br />"Even one of the greatest captains of all time decides enough is enough ... Well done @msdhoni on an incredible leadership term," Vaughan said.<br /><br />Pakistan's dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi praised Dhoni for shaping the Indian cricket team.<br /><br />"Huge credit to #MSDhoni for shaping Indian team. Great captain and leader, big inspiration for cricketers around the world."<br /><br />Back home, the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma, who blossomed under Dhoni's leadership, waxed eloquence on their first India captain.<br /><br />"Thank you @msdhoni bhai for being a leader that I have learnt a lot from. Thank you my first international captain!" Rahane tweeted.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts."<br /><br />Dhoni's decision has now paved the way for Test captain Virat Kohli to take over the mantle of the limited overs team as well.<br /><br />Sharma said on the social networking site, "A true leader @msdhoni he influenced so many cricketing careers including mine when he asked me to open in the ICC Champions Trophy. Will miss you at the helm."<br /><br />Limited overs specialist Suresh Raina said, "India's most successful captain @msdhoni who translated his vision into reality. Inspired many to dream more, do more and become more. Salute! <br /></p>