New Delhi: Every cricket fan knows that former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the finest minds in the field of cricket. From being a young player captaining the Indian side to becoming the only captain to win all 3 ICC trophies, it has been a journey for the ‘captain cool’.
On his 41st birthday, take a look at 5 risky decisions by Thala which panned out well:
1. Giving last over in 2007 T20 World Cup final to Joginder Sharma
It was the first-ever T20 World Cup and India was facing Pakistan in the finals. Pakistan, while chasing 158 were 145/9 after the 19th over. MS Dhoni, leading the Indian side, gave the final over to inexperienced Joginder Sharma. Sharma was doing well till then, as he took a wicket and gave 13 runs in 3 overs.
Misbah-ul-Haq was batting fine and was determined to bring the cup home. As Sharma bowled his first ball in the final over, it went wide. In the second legitimate delivery he got hit for a six, now Pakistan needed 6 runs from 4 balls. Joginder bowled the third ball, and it is the ball he is still remembered today as a hero of Indian cricket. Misbah scooped and gave an easy catch to Sreesanth standing on the short fine-leg.
“The best thing about Mahi during that over was he told me that if we lose, he would take the responsibility,” Joginder Sharma told Cricbuzz.
2. Promoting himself up in batting order in 2011 World Cup final
Chasing 275 against Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final, India was 114/3. India was struggling as it lost Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early. Captain Dhoni went to coach Garry Kirsten and told him that he will be batting next in place of Yuvraj Singh, as he knows how Muthiah Murlidaran bowls.
Dhoni and Gambhir made a partnership of 109 runs to get India closer to the win. Dhoni’s gambit worked as he finished the chase with a six to lead India to a World Cup victory. He ended up scoring 91*(79) and was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
3. Handing 18th over to Ishant Sharma in 2013 Champions’ Trophy final
The 50-over game turned into a T20 due to rain. India was able to score just 129 in 20 overs. England, chasing the score, needed 28 runs in 3 overs when the captain cool decided to give the ball to Ishant Sharam. Before this over Ishant went for 27 runs in 3 overs and everyone was questioning this decision.
Ishant got hit for a six and bowled two wides, leaking 8 runs in 2 balls. When every Indian cricket fan was angry at Dhoni and Ishant, then Ishant took 2 back-to-back wickets dismissing both the set batters Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara. This over changed the match situation and India eventually ended up winning the Champions’ trophy. This is how the third ICC trophy went into Dhoni’s bag.
4. Asking Kohli to bowl in 2016 T20 World Cup semifinal
West Indies was rushing towards the target of 193 and Indian bowlers were failing to deliver. The only bowler who bowled well in Wankhede’s dew was Ashish Nehra. Johnson Charles and Lendl Simmons were going for the kill, then Dhoni handed the 14th over to Virat Kohli. Virat used to bowl as a U-19 player but was inexperienced when it came to bowling at the senior level.
Kohli struck with the first ball by dismissing Charles. India eventually lost the game, but once again Dhoni’s tactics worked on the ground.
5. Removing the glove against Bangladesh in 2016 T20 World Cup
Mahmudulllah was striking well as Bangladesh needed just 11 runs to win in the last over. India’s four main bowlers were finished bowling their quota of 4 overs and Dhoni gave the ball to Hardik Pandya. Pandya had gone for 20 runs in 2 overs before bowling the final one.
Hardik went for 9 runs in the first 3 balls he bowled in the 20th over. Ashish Nehra and Dhoni were chatting after each ball and strategising the next move. Mushfiqur Rahim pulled a slower ball by Pandya and handed a catch to Dhawan. On the next ball, Mahmudullah tried to hit the full toss and gave a catch to Jadeja. Now Bangladesh needed 2 runs off the last ball and Dhoni removed the keeping glove from his right hand.
Shuvagata Hom missed the ball, but the batters ran for a bye. Dhoni received the ball and ran towards the wicket to get a run-out. As the third umpire watched the replay, it was clear that Dhoni covered a longer distance than Mustafizur Rahman, to lead India to a 1 run victory.
