New Delhi: Most successful captain in Indian cricket history, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni), know for his big hitting, excellence wicket-keeping, and changing course of the game through his presence of mind. The former Indian captain turns 42 today.
Over the years, MS Dhoni gained the massive fan following and his popularity reached across the boarder. Under his leadership, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. But it not just merely trophies that made Dhoni most loved cricket, but his decision that chances the course of the game, his gloves behind the stumps that turned the game in India’s favour.
Here are the moments that defines Dhoni’s ‘captain cool’ moments:
Last over thriller against Pakistan in first ever T20 final
In the last over, the maiden T20 final in 2007, Pakistan needed 13 runs and Misbah-ul-Haq was still there on the crease. Dhoni made the unexpected decision and gave the last over to his inexperienced medium pacer Joginder Sharma. On the 3rd ball of the final over, Misbah went for a scoop shot over short fine-leg, it went straight up in the air, Sreesanth took the catch, and India won the inaugural T20 World Cup. That was the moment that made Dhoni ‘captain cool’ for Indian fans for the first time.
It's been 15 years since the iconic victory Vs Pakistan at the 2007 T20 World Cup Final. A young team led by MS Dhoni did magic. Gambhir played a brilliant knock, the trophy journey for MS started from there.
One of the most memorable day for Indian fans! pic.twitter.com/4XXt51igi2
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 23, 2022
Giving Ishant Sharma 18th over in 2013 Champions Trophy
England needed just 130 runs in 20-over match at the slow Edgbaston pitch. When it seemed that match will slip from the hand, then Dhoni utilized his skill perfectly. Dhoni handed 18th over to Ishant Sharma, who was smacked for 11 runs in 16th over. It looked like that MS’ decision backfired him when Eoin Morgan hit a 6 and Ishant followed up with two wides, but the trick revealed itself when Ishant flummoxed Morgan with a slower ball. He then got the wicket of Ravi Bopara on the next ball, removing the set batters and paving the way for India’s victory. And when Ashwin beated Tredwell by the turn, Dhoni collected the trophy that was missing from his cabinate ‘Champions Trophy.’
2013 Champions Trophy final pic.twitter.com/BjlkDst5VR
— Mayur👓 (@mayureshh31) July 7, 2023
Ishant Sharma on Dhoni’s decision
“I was quite nervous, things were not going my way but I hold my nerve. I’ve done it times in the past so maybe that’s why he [Dhoni] thought I could do it. We have to say thanks to the crowd, they have been tremendous, there are no words for them.”
Promoting himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh in 2011 World Cup Final
India were chasing 275 to win in the World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium. Sri Lanka rode on Mahela Jayawardene fine 103. It was the massive total for many reason, no team had chased down such huge target in the final of the World Cup.
India’s openers collapsed earlier in the game, with Virender Sehwag fell for a duck and soon after, Tendulkar was out for 18 – both those wickets were taken out by Lasith Malinga. There was pin dropped silence in the stadium. Gautam Gambhir fought back with Virat Kohli before MS Dhoni. In a surprising move, Dhoni came out of dugout ahead of Yuvraj Singh and that as the moment that marked Dhoni as the best ever finisher in the history of cricket.
India lifted the World Cup 28 years after the 1983 triumph. India’s captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni stole the show from Sri Lanka with a towering six. Ravi Shastri was at the commentary box, from where he screamed, “Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!”
India was 3/114 in 2011 World Cup Final and Under pressure situation, The expectations from billion Indian fans and Then MS Dhoni played one of the Greatest Knocks in the Cricket history.
He smashed 91*(79) and won the match for India – THE GOAT.!! pic.twitter.com/WdRWquMHMx
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 7, 2023
When MS Dhioni Breaks Bangladesh heart
Requiring 2 runs to win on the final ball, with Hardik Pandya depended with the duty of bowling the ultimate over, Dhoni took things into his claim hands to leave a stamp within the history of the Gentleman’s wear.
As Pandya conveyed the ultimate ball, the Bangladesh batsman missed the ball totally but ran towards the other conclusion with all his might. Some time recently the ball had been conveyed Dhoni had as of now evacuated one of his gloves, showing a far-sightedness unparalleled within the don till date.
He ran the total separate and dispensed a runout some time recently Mustafizur Rahman might reach his wrinkle. Group India won by fair one run in that Super 10 clash, sending their rivals back domestic in a last-ball thriller.
Sudden retirement from Tests in 2014
Dhoni resigned from Test cricket halfway through the visit of Australia in 2014-15. On 30 December 2014, Dhoni resigned from the longer organize after India drew the Boxing Day Test at the notorious Melbourne Cricket Ground. India were as of now 2-0 down within the arrangement and Dhoni knew it was time to hand over the reins to a more youthful player.
