MS Dhoni's 3 best on-field captaincy decisions that shook the world
Seventeen years ago, on September 14, 2007, India faced Pakistan in the 10th match of the inaugural T20 World Cup in Durban. The game also marked the start of MS Dhoni's tenure as captain of Team India. After their opening match against Scotland was washed out due to rain, the Men in Blue were ready to take on their arch-rivals.
Batting first, India had a rocky start, losing openers Gautam Gambhir (0) and Virender Sehwag (5) cheaply. However, Robin Uthappa played a brilliant 50-run knock and MS Dhoni added 33 runs, helping India reach 141/9 in their 20 overs.
In reply, Pakistan struggled at 87 for 5 after 15 overs. The match went down to the wire, with Pakistan needing 12 runs off the last over. Misbah-ul-Haq struck two boundaries off the first four balls, leaving Pakistan needing just one run from the final two deliveries. But S. Sreesanth held his nerve and bowled two dot balls, leading to a rare and dramatic bowl-out.
During the bowl-out, India hit the stumps three times (thanks to Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, and Robin Uthappa) while Pakistan failed to hit the stumps with their attempts, resulting in an Indian victory.
This match foreshadowed the successful era that MS Dhoni and Team India would enjoy in the following years. In this article, we will explore three key on-field decisions made by MS Dhoni early in his captaincy.
#1 Choosing Joginder Sharma to bowl the last over in the 2007 T20 World Cup final against Pakistan
India faced Pakistan in the final of the 2007 T20 World Cup. Batting first, India set a 158-run target, thanks to Gautam Gambhir's 75-run knock and an unbeaten 30 off 16 balls by Rohit Sharma, finishing at 157/5 in their 20 overs.
The match was a roller-coaster, with the advantage swinging between the two teams. It came down to the last over, with Pakistan needing 13 runs to win and only one wicket remaining, while Misbah-ul-Haq was at the crease.
Misbah had been scoring freely against Harbhajan Singh, who had conceded 36 runs in his three overs. Consequently, Indian captain MS Dhoni chose Joginder Sharma to bowl the final over.
Joginder started with a wide and then gave up a six on the second ball. With Pakistan needing six runs off the last four balls, Misbah attempted a scoop shot over fine leg but didn’t make full contact.
S. Sreesanth completed the catch, securing the win for India and clinching the championship. Dhoni’s decision to trust Joginder Sharma instead of the experienced Harbhajan Singh proved to be a masterstroke.
#2 Promoting himself above Yuvraj Singh in the 2011 ODI World Cup final
India faced Sri Lanka in the final of the 2011 ODI World Cup in Mumbai. Mahela Jayawardene played a brilliant innings, remaining unbeaten on 103 off 88 balls, as Sri Lanka posted 274 runs in their 50 overs.
In response, India had a shaky start, losing Virender Sehwag for a duck and Sachin Tendulkar for just 18. However, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli stabilized the innings with an 83-run partnership for the third wicket before the latter was dismissed for 35.
It was anticipated that Yuvraj Singh would join Gambhir at this crucial juncture. The all-rounder had been exceptional throughout the tournament, scoring 341 runs in eight innings, including four fifties and a century.
Instead, MS Dhoni came in at No. 5. The decision was strategic, given Dhoni's experience playing against Sri Lankan spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Suraj Randiv in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings.
Gambhir played a match-winning knock but fell just three runs short of a century. Dhoni stayed until the end and hit the winning six, securing India’s World Cup victory after 28 years.
Dhoni’s decision to promote himself up the order was pivotal, as he remained unbeaten on 91 off 79 balls, guiding India to a six-wicket win with 10 balls to spare.
#3 Trusting Ishant Sharma in the final of the 2013 Champions Trophy
England won the toss and chose to bowl first in the rain-affected final of the 2013 Champions Trophy, which was reduced to 20 overs per side. Shikhar Dhawan scored 31 runs while Virat Kohli added 43. At the end of the innings, Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten with 33 off 25 balls, helping India post a competitive 129-run total.
In response, England were in a tight spot, needing 28 runs off the last three overs with six wickets in hand. Eoin Morgan (27) and Ravi Bopara (30) were at the crease. With both batters well set, India needed a breakthrough.
Ishant Sharma had already conceded 27 runs in his first three overs. On the other hand, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had given away 19 runs in his three overs and Umesh Yadav conceded 10 in two. However, Dhoni decided to entrust Ishant with the 18th over.
Ishant's over started poorly with a six off the second ball and two consecutive wides, putting India under pressure. However, he made a remarkable comeback by dismissing Morgan and Bopara with successive deliveries, turning the game in India’s favor and proving Dhoni’s faith in him.
Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin then delivered exceptional performances in the final two overs, securing a five-run victory for India.