'Timing of retirement a surprise' MS Dhoni has retired from Test cricket with immediate effect following the drawn Test against Australia in Melbourne.

Overall, Dhoni played 90 Tests in a career that began in 2005 and scored 4876 runs at an average of 38, with a high score of 224 against Australia in Chennai in 2013. As a wicketkeeper, he effected 294 dismissals, the fifth highest in Test cricket.

MS Dhoni set a new Indian wicketkeeping record with nine dismissals in his final Test match against Australia at MCG Dec 2014

Dhoni set a new Indian wicketkeeping record with nine dismissals in his final Test // Getty Images

MS Dhoni Retires From Test Cricket December 30, 2014

Dhoni called 'tails' at his final coin toss - the coin landed heads at MCG 26 Dec 2014// Getty Images

That was the lowest point of my career - probably my life, actually lost Aussies by 5-0 in 2006

Ashton Agar had made a stunning 98 on Test debut batting at No.11 against England in 2013

Brad Haddin Incredible Catch in Boxing Day Test Match at Melbourne Dec 2014

No doubt this is a catch that EVERY cricket fan will appreciate. The veteran wicketkeeper full stretch dived to his right after Cheteshwar Pujara edged a Ryan Harris delivery, taking the catch horizontal in mid-air, parallel to the ground in front of Shane Watson at first slip. The Pujara pearler is Brad Haddin 250th Test dismissal, putting him fourth on the list of most successful Australian gloveman behind Adam Gilchrist, Ian Healy and Rod Marsh. Check out this great catch against India at Melbourne Dec 2014. 

Brad Haddin incredible diving catch of Pujara... by livemedia24

Tim Paine is Ready With Beautiful Sun Glasses

Australia 2nd Time World Champion in 1999

Corey Anderson broke the 17-year record for the fastest one-day century - getting it in 36 balls, one less than Shahid Afridi

Brendon McCullum became the first New Zealand batsman to score a triple-hundred in his match-saving effort against India in Wellington

Ishant Sharma produced one of the most memorable spells in the history of Indian fast bowling of 7 for 47 at Lord's to decimate England

Virat Kohli had a few words for Mitchell Johnson after the day's play at Melbourne Dec 28, 2014

Virat Kohli had a few words for Mitchell Johnson after the day's play: "I was really annoyed with him hitting me with the ball, and I told him that's not on. 'Try and hit the stumps next time, not my body.' You have got to send the right message across. I am not there to take to some unnecessary words or chats from someone. I am going there to play cricket, back myself. There's no good reason that I should respect unnecessarily some people when they are not respecting me.

Virat Kohli's celebration after scoring his 9th Test century against Australia at Melbourne 28 Dec 2014

Malcolm Marshall would become one of the game's most complete fast bowlers © PA Photos

Jesse Ryder won't be playing the 2015 World Cup at home

Peter Kirsten remembers a 1992 wrold cup in which newcomers South Africa surprised themselves by making the final four

Mitchell Starc against India in 2nd Test Match at Brisbane in Dec 2014

Indian Medium Fast Bowler R P Singh

Saad Nasim caught Corey Anderson at the boundary in T20I match in Dec 2014

Murali Vijay against Australia in The 2nd Test Match against Australia at Brisbane in Dec 2014

David Warner against India in Dec 2014

Australian Side Under the Leadership of Michael Clarek in Nov 2014

David Warner Hitting Hard Outside The Crease.

David Warner against Pakistan in UAE in Nov 2014

Steve Smith First Time Leading Australia against India in the 2nd Test Match at Brisbane in Dec 2014

David Warner Against India in Dec 2014

Just how important is Steve Smith to Australia. A Cracking Hundred against India at Adelaide Oval Dec 10, 2014

Rohit Sharma 209 Runs - 7th ODI 2 November 2013

Rohit Sharma 209 Runs - 7th ODI 2 November 2013 (India won by 57 runs) from HD Clips on Vimeo.

Australia in India ODI Series - 7th ODI
India v Australia
India won by 57 runs
Rohit Sharma 209
ODI no. 3428 | 2013/14 season
Played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
2 November 2013 - day/night (50-over match).

Rohit Sharma Record 264 runs in ODI Against Sril Lanka in 2014

Rohit Sharma 264 runs in ODI 2014 Record by cricket-record

Eoin Morgan’s incredible shot in Big Bash 2014-15

Eion Morgan is such a talented batsman, when he play a incredible shot .Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat of KFC Big Bash T20 2014-15 was played at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 21th December 2014. Brisbane Heat won the toss and they elected to bowl.

Eoin Morgan Incredible Shot vs... by zemifydotcom

Pakistani Wicket Keeper Sarfraz Ahmed Against Australia in UAE in Nov 2014

Larry Gomes was a key all-round performer in '1983 world cup © Getty Images

Shaun Marsh bakc in Australian Test Squad Dec 2014

Haris Sohail was economical in his 10 overs of part-time spin in first ODI between Pakistan vs New Zealand in Dec 2014.

Haris Sohail was economical in his 10 overs of part-time spin in first ODI between Pakistan vs New Zealand in Dec 2014. Later on He was declared Man of the match due to his super match inning knock.

On the surface, they are a classic buddy-cop duo, opposites in so many ways, yet profoundly in sync at an elemental level © Getty Images

Hashim Amla's 208 is the highest score by a South Africa captain at home against West Indies Dec 18, 2014© AFP

Hashim Amla's Great Knock against West Indies.

The final at Eden Gardens was watched by a packed house, vindicating the decision to bring the premier 50-over event to the subcontinent © Patrick Eagar

Dean Jones and Tom Moody Lift Allan Border on their Shoulders (World Cup 1987).

Australia's greatest ODI captain under whom they never lost a single match in two consecutive World Cups(2003 and 2007),

Australia's greatest ODI captain under whom they never lost a single match in two consecutive World Cups(2003 and 2007), and one of the very few cricketers worthy of being compared to Sachin Tendulkar - Ricky Ponting was born on this day in 1974.

Kane Williamson has Great 2014 Year.

KANE ON A ROLL: 2014 is turning out be a fantastic year for New Zealand's number three batsman in ODIs. His scores: 47, 16, 71, 77, 65, 60, 88, 10, 70*, 46, 123 and 97. With the World Cup round the corner, Williamson's form augurs well.

In 2010, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 50th Test century and Rahul Dravid became the 3rd player in the history of Test cricket to score 12000 runs.

In 2010, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 50th Test century and Rahul Dravid became the 3rd player in the history of Test cricket to score 12000 runs.

16 December 1927: Donald Bradman makes his debut in first-class cricket for New South Wales against South Australia. Batting at number 7, he scores a century.

16 December 1927: All Time Great Batsman Donald Bradman makes his debut in first-class cricket for New South Wales against South Australia. When he Batting at number 7, he scores a brilliant century.

Mahela Jayawardene walks off after his final ODI innings at home against England Dec 16, 2014

Mahela Jayawardene walks off to a standing ovation after his final ODI innings on home soil, during the seventh and final match of the ODI series between Sri Lanka and England at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on December 16, 2014.
AFP PHOTO/LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI

Australian captain, Steve Smith led the team first time onto the field against India at Brisbane Dec 17, 2014

The proud moment in the life of Steven Smith, to wear Australian jacket first time against India 2nd Test at Brisbane Dec 17, 2014

Josh Hazlewood picked up his first Test Wicket of VIrat Kohli as Australia fought back well in the second session against India in the 2nd Test Match at Brisbane Dec 17, 2014

Ajinkya went past fifty while India crossed the 250-run mark against Australia in the 2nd Test Match at Brisbane Dec 17, 2014

Murali Vijay Played a Brilliant Inning against Australia 2nd Test Match at Brisbane on Dec 17, 2014

Mitchell Marsh and Shaun Marsh - first pair of brothers readying to take the field for Australian Cricket Team since Steve and Mark Waugh in the 2nd Test Match Against India at Brisbane Dec 17, 2014

Murali Vijay celebrates after getting to his century against Australia 2nd Test Match at Brisbane 17 Dec 2014.

On the surface, they are a classic buddy-cop duo, opposites in so many ways, yet profoundly in sync at an elemental level © Getty Images

Clive Lloyd holding Trophy of 1979 World Cup

Harris Sohail played a super match winning inning against New Zealand in First ODI at Dubai on 8 Dec 2014. He made 85 Not Out with help of 5 fours and one six. He declared man of the match.

Karn Sharma receives his Test Cap from MS Dhoni before the play at Adelaide