Top 5 Best Decisions Made by MS Dhoni ‘The Captain Cool’

5 Best desicions By MS Dhoni

Penned By- Yakshpat Bhargava

Mahendra Singh Dhoni aka MS Dhoni is arguably the best captain India has ever got, leading the country to lift every major international trophy in the cricketing world. Given the captaincy for the first time during the inaugural T20 World Cup, on Sachin Tendulkar’s recommendation, many raised questions, but Dhoni delivered until the very last ODI series against New Zealand which India won 3-2.

Currently holding the record for captaining team India for 332 international matches which include more than 200 ODI and 60 Tests, along with 72 T20’s. Initially started his career as a hard hitter, MS gradually turned himself into an excellent leader. He holds the record for most wins as a captain in Tests and ODIs for India. Experts suggest Dhoni even equalized the powers of DRS in modern cricket. Not just internationally, but Dhoni’s leadership helped him franchise Chennai Super Kings to win 3 IPLs and 2 CL T20s.

Dhoni had a different guide of playing cricket and was known for his innovative par excellence, to an extent where some of his decisions seemed so weird that it led the fans and even commentators startled. Those decisions and contributions have escorted Dhoni to successfully lead the team in two eras. One of which was filled with legends, while the other was with vibrant youngsters. MS never held back before making undaunted decisions in crucial times.

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Here’s a look at his best 5 decisions –

Promoting himself up the order in the 2011 World Cup – India had a chance of lifting the world cup after 28 years. Chasing a total of 274, the home team lost Sehwag, Kohli and Tendulkar. India was 114-3 and fans awaited the man of the series, Yuvraj Singh to step up, but instead was surprised to see Dhoni walk out. The Indian Captain started nervously with 8 runs of 18 ball.

But it was just the calm before the storm, when Dhoni and Gambhir scored a 109-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Even when Gambhir got out, Dhoni kept his cool to famously win the game with a six, scoring an undismissed 91 run, winning the man of the match for the finals. His last winning six in the match was almost become a Dhoni trademark.

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Choosing Joginder Sharma to bowl the last over of the 2007 T20 final over Harbhajan Singh – What can be a bigger encounter than India and Pakistan squaring it off in the inaugural T20 World Cup? Chasing a target of 158, Pakistan seemed be under the pressure since the first ball and kept losing wickets. Only Misbah-Ul-Haq seemed to have been in a flourishing touch, helping Pakistan bat till the last over needing just 13 runs.

While the ethics told MSD to go with the experienced spinner Harbhajan Singh, Dhoni opened up his guide book to call medium-pacer Joginder Sharma. With Joginder 2 maiden balls, he bowled a wide, following a six. With just 6 runs to win of 3 balls, Joginder was able to dismiss Misbah and seal India’s first major trophy after 24 years.

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Choosing Ishant Sharma to bowl the 18th over in 2013’s Champions Trophy – The joy of the final was already reduced by the rain, making it a 20 over game. England came down to chase a target of 130. While the other bowlers seemed to have kept the pressure, Ishant looked tired and cloyed giving 28 runs in just his 3 overs.

However, heading into the 18th over, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadhav seemed to be a valid option, Dhoni chose Ishant, he started with 2 wides, then conceded a sixer, with the fans giving up their hopes. Ishant dismissed Morgan and Bopara initiating the downfall of the English batting line-up. India eventually went on to win the Champions Trophy for the first time by 5 runs.

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India vs Bangladesh Last Over in Super 10 Match, ICC T20 World Cup 2016 – India needed to win the match at any cost against Bangladesh to play Australia in the semi-finals. However not the best total of 146 was posted on the scoreboard by India. Apart from Ashwin, almost every bowler had an economy rate of 8.00 or above. Heading to the last over, Pandya was given the ball, defending 11 runs.

Hardik Pandya conceded 2 boundaries from the first 3 balls, but Dhoni’s seemed cool. Bangladesh wicket-keeper, Mushfiqur Rahim even started celebrating but 2 balls witnessed two dismissals, leaving 2 runs from 1 ball and Dhoni took his glove off. As the bowl was bowled, it went passed the bowler and Dhoni held it while running towards the wicket. The result was unexpected, Dhoni ran out Mustafizur Rahman, helping Indian win by 1 run.

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Making Rohit Sharma an opener – Through the course for 5 years, since the 2007 T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma played a staggering total of 86 ODIs and just averaged slightly over 36 and just 1 century registered to him name against Top 8 teams. Rohit Sharma was under the nose of the critics, who were constantly asking why Dhoni was sticking with Rohit in the shorter formats.

During the Champion’s League, Dhoni let Rohit open the innings to answer his critics and Boy! What a way to take the center stage, averaging more than 55. Rest in history, Rohit Sharma is the only man in the world till date, to ever score 3 double centuries. Statistically speaking Rohit Sharma is one of the best openers in the modern era having 22 centuries in the limited format for India.

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