MS Dhoni is one of the most successful captains in the world. He won three ICC titles for India as a captain. As we know, a great position comes with great responsibility, and he made many tough decisions in his career that stunned everyone. He was indeed a mastermind of cricket. He had made many unexpected decisions, but later, all of them proved correct for India. We are presenting "Top 10 best decisions by MS Dhoni" here.
1. Running Out Mustafizur Rahman By Running Towards The Stumps
Bangladesh had the match in their hands. But their immature attitude towards the game became the reason for the loss. They needed two runs from the last three balls; Rahim wanted to finish it off in style by hitting over the fence but was caught out by Dhawan at deep. Mahmudullah made the same mistake and was caught by Jadeja at mid-wicket. At last, they needed two runs from the last ball. Instead of going for a direct hit, he decided to run towards the stumps to hit the bails on time with a speed even compared to Usain Bolt. At last, India secured a stunning win over Bangladesh.
2. Ishant Sharma To Bowl The Crucial 18th Over In ICC Champions Trophy Final 2013
India scored 129 runs losing 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs in a rain-interrupted game. England had a challenging start as they were batting on 46/4. Later, Eoin Morgan and Bopara played exceptionally well with a partnership of 64 runs. It seemed easy for England to win the match. Although Ishant was expensive in the game, Dhoni gave him the crucial 18th over. This decision stunned everyone because the best bowlers, like Ashwin, Jadeja and Bhubaneswar Kumar, had one over left. After six and two back-to-back wides, he dismissed both the set batters and put India back in the game. At last, India won the final match by five runs. It was indeed a low-scoring thriller for India.
3. Dropping Sourav Ganguly-Rahul Dravid From ODIs
Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly were the big names in Indian and world cricket. They together amassed almost 23,000 runs during their career. MS Dhoni dropped these two legendary players during the tri-series in Australia involving Sri Lanka. MS Dhoni prioritized a younger fielding side on the tour over senior players. After this, fielders also became a priority, like batters and bowlers.
4. Giving Joginder The Last Over In The 2007 T20 World Cup Final
MS Dhoni gave the last over to Joginder Sharma when 13 runs were needed from the last six balls with one wicket remaining for Pakistan. His decision raised a few eyebrows as the experienced bowler Harbhajan Singh had one over left. After a wide and a six, Dhoni still told him to stick to the plan and ball as wide as he could, Misbah misjudged the ball and played the scoop shot, and it was an easy catch for Sreesanth. At last, India won the inaugural T20 tournament in 2007.
5. Robin Uthappa In A Bowl-out Against Pakistan In The 2007 World Cup
When Pakistan went with his top bowlers in a bowl-out against India, Dhoni went with his part-time bowlers like Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, and spinner Harbhajan Singh, and all three hit the stumps. On the other hand, Pakistan's best bowlers could not hit a single one. Dhoni chose these three because it is easy for spinners to hit the stumps rather than pacers.
6. Backing Ravindra Jadeja
MS Dhoni backed Jadeja in the team and gave him regular Opportunities to cement his spot in the team. When the time came to pick anyone between Jadeja and Pragyan Ojha, Dhoni went for Jadeja because he was an all-rounder and a brilliant fielder. Later, Jadeja became one of the top fielders of team India. Whenever the team needs him, he delivers with the ball and bat, too.
7. Backing R Ashwin
Dhoni wanted Ashwin to lead spin attack for India. Later, Ashwin became a regular member of India in 2011, and he played almost every ICC tournament in the next six years for India. MS Dhoni backed him when he was struggling.
8. Giving Rohit Sharma An Opening Position
When senior players were struggling, MS Dhoni gave the opening position to Rohit Sharma in 2013. He always pushed him as an opening batter, and Rohit made the most of the opportunity. He has never dropped from the playing XI since then and now leads India in all formats. Rohit scored three double centuries in ODI cricket, and 264 is the highest individual score in ODI by a batter.
9. Backing Virat Kohli
Despite consecutive failures by Virat Kohli, Dhoni did not drop him from India's playing XI. He saw the potential in him and knew that Kohli would gain great success in the future ahead for India. Sehwag once revealed that he and Captain Dhoni revived Kohli, while team selectors wanted him out of the playing XI.
10. Backing Rohit Sharma
MS Dhoni saw the spark in Rohit Sharma and backed him to the hilt. He always gave chances to Rohit whenever he was in the team. Later, Rohit Sharma became the first batter to score three double centuries in ODI cricket. His 264 against Sri Lanka was something special for him, India and cricket fans. Today, Rohit Sharma is the former captain of India.
