MS Dhoni bids adieu to Test cricket with immediate effect; Virat Kohli to lead in Sydney

New Delhi: The Indian skipper MS Dhoni on Tuesday decided to retire from Test cricket with immediate effect.

The news was confirmed by BCCI through their official account on micro-blogging site Twitter.

News Alert - MS Dhoni has chosen to retire from Test Cricket with immediate effect #MSD #Captain — BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2014

Virat Kohli will lead India in the final Test at Sydney that is scheduled to begin on December 6.

News Alert - Virat will be the captain for the 4th and Final Test against Australia #MSD #AusvsInd

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2014

The reason behind Dhoni's decision is said to be the rigour of playing and leading India in all three formats. The 33-year-old wants to focus on ODIs and T20 internationals.

Dhoni has previously indicated he would quit Tests before ODIs, but the decision comes as a surprise especially since it was announced in the middle of the ongoing series.

Here is the full press release from the BCCI:

​One of India's greatest Test Captains under whose leadership India became the No. 1 team in the Test Rankings MS Dhoni, has decided to retire from Test Cricket citing the strain of playing all formats of Cricket. 

M S Dhoni has chosen to retire from Test Cricket with immediate effect in order to concentrate on ODI and T20 formats. 

BCCI while respecting the decision of M S Dhoni to retire from Test Cricket, wishes to thank him for his enormous contribution to Test Cricket and the laurels that he has brought to India.

Virat Kohli will be the captain of the Indian Team for the Fourth and Final Test against Australia to be played in Sydney from the 6th of January 2015.

Meanwhile, Suresh Raina took to Twitter to share his sentiments about the sudden news of Dhoni's retirement.

Valiant while you led. Valiant in your departure. #Respect @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/w6xdnebG3s — Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) December 30, 2014

Dhoni was unbeaten on 24 when Steve Smith offered a draw with four overs were left and India had four wickets in hand. Even while speaking to Mark Nicholas, Dhoni did not hint at hanging up his boots in the longer format of cricket.

Despite his place in India's Test side was never in doubt, Dhoni's batting form slumped in 2014 with an average of 33 in 17 innings this year. Having won only two out of 22 away Tests and losing 13, India's form away from home under Dhoni's leadership has been dismal.

Dhoni played 90 Tests for India and scored 4876 runs and retires as India's most successful captain.