While MS Dhoni might have stepped down as India’s captain from ODIs and T20Is, there is no doubt that he was an intelligent, smart and skilful leader.
From 2007 to 2016, Dhoni led his blue brigade with responsibility and on plenty of occasions was instrumental in taking India to glory.
Here are five great moments as captain that Dhoni had.
Which one was your favourite?
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WORLD CUP 2011 VICTORY
Perhaps this will go down as Dhoni’s greatest achievement. The 2011 World Cup, held in India, was one in which India were favorites on home soil.
Blessed with a team that had a blend of youth and experience, Dhoni led India to the finals where they faced Sri Lanka – after wins over Australia in the quarter-finals and arch-rivals Pakistan in the semis.
On the night of the final, Dhoni’s 91 not out, after promoting himself up the order, took India to their second World Cup title. India won by six wickets and Dhoni was named Man of the Match.
2007 T20 WORLD CUP WIN
The inaugural T20 World Cup was hosted by South Africa. Dhoni, a new and inexperienced captain, managed to impress everyone.
This was the first time Dhoni’s cool attitude on-the-field was recognised around the world. A red-hot Indian team managed a bowl-out win against Pakistan that got them going and from there: England, South Africa, Australia were all left wondering.
In a close, nerve-wracking final, India pipped Pakistan by five runs. Joginder Sharma, given the last over by Dhoni, picked up Misbah-ul-Haq’s wicket in the last over.
ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY WIN IN 2013
Dhoni, when he led India to victory in the 2013 Champions Trophy, became the first skipper to win all ICC trophies.
A five-run win in a rain-curtailed final against hosts England gave India the win. This was the time when questions around Dhoni’s defensive tactics were popping up, more so because of poor away Test records. A normally emotionless Dhoni, rejoiced in some fashion after the win.
COMMONWEALTH BANK SERIES WIN AGAINST AUSTRALIA IN 2007
Having being made India’s ODI captain after the T20 World Cup win in 2007, Dhoni led a team that consisted of experienced players and fresh blood with great valour.
In a tri-series Down Under in 2008, India made their way into the finals, knocking out Sri Lanka in the last four to book a meeting with a strong Australia side.
In a best of three finals, India under Dhoni won the first two games and clinched the series, thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliance, and of course Dhoni’s leadership.
2016 T20 WORLD CUP
Dhoni’s last ICC event as captain didn’t end with India as champions but it did include some fabulous Dhoni moments that will be remembered for a long time.
It was mainly a one-man show for India, as Virat Kohli’s sheer genius took them over the finishing line on most occasions. Most of Dhoni’s tricks came to the fore in a game against Bangladesh where India won by one-run and took three wickets of the last three balls.
Dhoni’s unbelievable stumping of Sabbir Rehman, his field placements in the final over and a run-out off the last ball was the highlight. India were eventually beaten by West Indies in the semi-final.
