IPL History: Five instances when MS Dhoni's captaincy worked wonders for CSK
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one name which is present in every cricket debate in India. He has been receiving thunderous reception every time when he steps on to the field and that is evident in the support that his team Chennai Super Kings gets at every stadium. But just like every other big Indian cricket star, Dhoni is also not far away from controversies.
Be it Dhoni's silence after the spot-fixing scandal in 2013 or his strategy of playing the waiting game in Tests sparked many a debate. Even in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League, his act of walking onto the field to question a no-ball call questioned his "Captain Cool" tag.
Although Dhoni's action in that match against Rajasthan Royals wasn't pleasing to see on the cricket field, some of the reactions it has evoked seem to be ridiculous. Especially questioning his credentials as captain and the respect towards the game is farcical. T
here have been many an occasion when his captaincy moves have turned the game in his team's favor. Let's trace five instances when he has done that for CSK.
#1 IPL 2010 - Field placement wins the IPL for CSK
This match was a classic example of how Dhoni the captain stood between the opposition and a win. Batting first, Chennai Super Kings racked up 168 in 20 overs against Mumbai Indians as Suresh Raina top scored with 35-ball 57. Ravichandran Ashwin started off with a maiden but Sachin Tendulkar's innings kept Mumbai in the chase.
Dhoni ran out Abhishek Nayar with a moment of brilliance which brought season's emerging player Saurabh Tiwary to the crease. He was dismissed for a duck as Dhoni placed his best fielder Raina at deep midwicket which was the primary scoring area for Tiwary. Raina took a brilliant catch to remove the southpaw.
With 55 needed off 18 balls, Kieron Pollard went berserk smashing Doug Bollinger for 22 runs in the 18th over. Just when the Trinidadian was threatening to take the game away, Dhoni used an unusual tactic of placing a straight mid-off and a long-off. The move paid off as Pollard was caught at mid-off.
Just when the game was in the balance, Dhoni pulled a rabbit out of the hat to help CSK win their first IPL crown.
Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on IPL points table, schedule, news, live scores, orange cap, purple cap and fantasy tips.