MS Dhoni broke a billion hearts across the globe when he announced his decision to step down as Team India's limited-overs captain earlier in January.

While not being able to see Dhoni calling the shots in the field was arguably painful, the fans, however, did take some reprieve in the fact that they will still be able to see him leading the Pune franchise in the IPL.

VIDEO: A tribute to @msdhoni the #Captain...A look at some of the glorious moments under his captaincy https://t.co/o6Vb0oxSEt #Dhoni

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2017

The rare sight of Dhoni's majestic captaincy was now restricted only to the IPL. But the latest reports of Australia's Steve Smith taking over the reigns of Rising Pune Supergiants seem to have dashed the hopes of Dhoni fans.

MS Dhoni in IPL:
2008 -16: Captain
2017: WK
Don't know how to react after this.. Poor RPSG..
Bt @msdhoni will be my Captain Cool forever..?

— MSDian? (@mihika_07) February 19, 2017

Dhoni will no longer captain the Pune franchise, with Smith announced as the new skipper for the tenth edition of the IPL, starting from 5 April. The switch emerged on the eve of the IPL player auction set to take place in Bengaluru on 20 February.



The decision was reportedly taken after a proper consultation with Dhoni. Surprisingly, at the toss for what was billed as his last match as Team India captain when he led India A against England in a tour match, Dhoni had said he wasn't done with captaincy and that he was still going to captain in the IPL and domestic cricket.

But Pune's frailties in their maiden IPL season last year could have led to the change in captaincy. Under Dhoni, Pune finished second-last last season, winning just five games and losing nine in a campaign ravaged by injuries to key players.

If u don't no d value of "CAPTAIN" MS Dhoni ,u don't deserve 2 have him in ur side. #CSK will b glad 2 have him back.

— Preetesh Kumar Yadav (@7Preetesh) February 19, 2017

It was also the first time a team led by Dhoni failed to make the IPL playoffs. Dhoni scored 284 runs in 12 innings at a strike-rate of 135. On the other hand, Smith - who leads Australia across all three formats - made 270 in seven innings at a strike-rate of 153.

Hahaha this is epic @RPSupergiants @msdhoni ⚡️??? pic.twitter.com/pfMMWjR61k

— thaman S (@MusicThaman) February 19, 2017

The 35-year-old Indian cricketer was Pune's first-choice pick in the players draft ahead of the 2016 season. Until then Dhoni had been captain of the Chennai Super Kings since the advent of the IPL in 2008.

MS #Dhoni's Last 5 Balls As A Captain Of #RisingPuneSupergiants - 6 0 4 6 6.

RT If You Still Want Him As Captain. #IPL10 #IPL2017 pic.twitter.com/QIucZ3hIyc

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) February 19, 2017

He was bought at the first player auction for a whopping $1.5 million - the highest-paid player at the time - and led Chennai to the IPL title in 2010 and 2011. Dhoni also guided them to the Champions League title in 2010 and 2014. It was also under him that Chennai finished runners-up in the IPL on four occasions.

MS Dhoni can step down as a captain of the team but he always remain our Captain  and no franchise can remove him from our heart #IPLauction

— Virender Sehwag (@VirenderSehweg) February 19, 2017

In what has been one of the most memorable journeys in Indian cricket, Dhoni's stint as 'Captain Cool', against the likes of many, has finally come to an end.