Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a master tactician. Although he appears to be a gambler to the untrained eye, those who have followed his career closely enough would agree that he was more of a risk-assessor than a risk-taker. Most of his predictions have come true, giving India some of its most memorable moments in cricket. He is the only captain to have won the T20 World Cup, the 50-over World Cup, and the Champions Trophy, in addition to leading the Men in Blue to the top spot in Test cricket. Let us look at the best mastermind field placements by MS Dhoni.
1. T20 World Cup 2007 – Joginder Sharma
This was the first of many major decisions Dhoni had to make as captain of the national team. However, his reading of the game was once again spot on. While many believe he took a risk by giving Joginder Sharma the final over, the other option, Harbhajan Singh, bowled a horror 17th over, conceding 19 runs and going for 36 in his three overs. Furthermore, Bhajji was ideal for Misbah's preferred shot, which led to his dismissal. Dhoni chose Joginder with 13 runs in hand, and the rest, as they say, is history. India became the first T20 World Champion.
2. 2015 World Cup Semifinal – Ashwin For Maxwell
India failed to defend their World Cup title in 2015 sadly, losing to Australia in the semifinals. However, Dhoni was superb with his moves in this match. As soon as Glenn Maxwell looked dangerous, Dhoni passed the ball to Ravichandran Ashwin, an off-spinner with his stock ball coming into the right-hander. Furthermore, MSD brought Ashwin from the end of the ground where the on-side was larger, and as the finger spinner bowled slower through the air, Maxwell went with his stroke that went straight down the fielder's throat.
3. T20 World Cup 2012 – Up To Stumps For Irfan Pathan
Another example occurred during India's game against England in the 2012 T20 World Cup. Dhoni came up to the stumps to keep the batters within their crease as they attempted to step out of their crease and play their strokes. Irfan Pathan got one to beat the batter's stroke almost immediately, and he was adjudged Leg before Wicket (LBW). Not only did he obstruct the batters' free flow of the innings, but he also won a mental game.
4. T20 World Cup 2016 – RunOut
Another memorable moment from MS Dhoni's captaincy occurred during a pivotal India vs. Bangladesh game during the 2016 World Cup. While they only needed two runs to win the game on the last ball, a single would have forced a tie-breaker. However, MSD expected batters to cross over even if they did not contact the bat. That is exactly what happened when the batter failed to make contact, but Dhoni chose to sprint to the stumps rather than throw, which may have resulted in an extra run for overthrow. Dhoni eventually won the race with the non-striker.
5. World Cup 2015 – Leg Slip
Another memorable MS Dhoni captaincy moment occurred during a pivotal India vs. Bangladesh game during the 2016 World Cup. While they only needed two runs on the last ball to win the game, a single would have forced a tie-breaker. MSD, on the other hand, expected batters to cross even if they did not contact the bat. When the batter failed to make contact, Dhoni chose to sprint to the stumps rather than throw, which could have resulted in an extra run for overthrow. Dhoni eventually won the race without striking.
6. T20 World Cup 2016 Semifinal – Ball To Virat Kohli
Once again, a superb risk assessment. The dew at Wankhede was making it difficult for the team's spinners to grip the ball. Furthermore, the pacers were unable to break the crucial partnership, so Dhoni turned to Virat Kohli for a change, and he delivered with a wicket off his first ball. Despite top-scoring and taking a wicket, India was unable to defend a score of 192, and the West Indies were crowned champions.
7. T20 World Cup Quarterfinal – Field Set
Dhoni was a master of field placement, especially when it came to slower ball bowlers. During the ICC 2011 World Cup quarterfinal match against Australia, Dhoni caught Brad Haddin off guard with a great pitch setting for Yuvraj Singh. With one of India's sharpest catch-takers, Raina, stationed there, Haddin was tempted to go over the covers with the spin. Haddin eventually mis-hit, and Raina made an excellent catch.
8. T20 World Cup 2009 – Yusuf Pathan
Despite bowling a maiden over against West Indies in the 2009 T20 World Cup, Dhoni replaced him with Yusuf Pathan in the very next over. When Gayle saw Yusuf come into the attack, he probably saw him as a weak link and tried to smash him out of the park, but all he got was a leading edge that went to the fielder, effectively ending his innings.
9. MI Vs. CSK – IPL 2010 Finals
While Kieron Pollard was on fire for MI to win their first IPL title in 2010, it was MS Dhoni's astute wicket-taking field setting that helped CSK win their first IPL title. With MI chasing a 168-point target in the final, the team relied heavily on Kieron Pollard in the closing stages. MI needed 27 from the final seven deliveries, and MS Dhoni delivered with a straightish mid-off fielder that was right behind the bowler's arm. To bowl according to the new pitch, Albie Morkel bowled a delivery way outside the off-stump, and Kieran Pollard played the shot that directly went into the hands of that newly appointed fielder.
10. CSK Vs. RCB, 2022 IPL
When Virat was out with the bat in the second innings of the game during RCB's chase, former captain MS Dhoni used his tactically astute mind to set the fielding. Virat Kohli was dismissed after drawing out a blueprint, laying it out on the pitch, and carrying it out.
