MS Dhoni Birthday: Captain Dhoni's six big decisions on the field, which changed the picture of Indian cricket

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of the most successful captains in the world, turned 42 today. Mahi, who has retired from international cricket, is still playing IPL. This year he made his team Chennai Super Kings the champion for the fifth time. However, there is suspense over his playing in the next season. When and what decision Dhoni will take, no one knows except him, as he used to surprise everyone with his decisions even in the field.

Dhoni is the only captain in the world to win all ICC tournaments in limited-overs cricket. T20 World Cup (2007), ODI World Cup (2011), and Champions Trophy (2013) titles are in their kitty. Let's take a look at some of his on-field decisions that changed the face of Indian cricket.

1. 2011 World Cup

Dhoni was out of form during the 2011 World Cup, but in the final, he came out to bat at number five ahead of Yuvraj Singh. While Yuvraj showed excellent game during the entire tournament. This decision of Dhoni proved to be correct. The Indian skipper scored an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls which included eight fours and two sixes. Dhoni played an excellent inning under pressure and made the Indian team the world champion by reaching the target of 275 runs. Recently, when Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan was asked whether the decision of Dhoni's arrival before Yuvraj was right, he said that it was right and he knew it. Muralitharan said- I knew that Dhoni would come because Yuvraj's record against me has been bad. Whereas, Dhoni played me many times in the IPL nets.

2. 2007 World Cup

India had given Pakistan a target of 158 runs in the final of the 2007 World T20. Pakistan needed 13 runs to win in the last over and Dhoni handed the ball to Joginder Sharma. Joginder Sharma defended the target by taking the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq. India became the first world champion of T20 by winning the final by five runs. Dhoni's decision to trust the inexperienced Sharma was a masterstroke. This defeat haunts Pakistan to date.

3. Opening batting with Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma was constantly failing while playing in the middle order in ODIs. Dhoni fielded him as an opener and after that, Rohit created a storm as an opener. Rohit has scored three double centuries in his ODI career and is the only cricketer to achieve this feat. Rohit took command of the opening from the 2013 Champions Trophy played in England and since then has been making a splash with his bat. Today Rohit is the captain of Team India based on his excellent batting and confidence.

4. Four Diamonds in the form of Vijay, Jadeja, Raina, and Dhawan

Despite the poor performance of Murali Vijay, Ravindra Jadeja, and Suresh Raina in the initial days, Dhoni backed these players and expressed confidence in them. All three players did not turn the water on Dhoni's hopes. Vijay proved himself as an opening batsman in Test cricket and scored a lot of runs. At the same time, Raina remained an important part of the Indian middle order for a long time. Jadeja is now an integral part of the Indian team in all three formats. He is also the best fielder of Team India at present. His match fitness is worth watching. At the same time, there was a time in Dhawan's career when he was unable to score runs. However, even after this Dhoni backed him and his bat went on. Dhawan has many times given credit to Dhoni for shining in international cricket.

5. Rotation policy of senior players

In 2012, Dhoni decided to rotate the trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Gautam Gambhir during the CB tri-series in Australia. Fielding was also a big reason, but Gambhir said on this decision after his retirement that 'in the tri-series, he cannot play all three of us (Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir) together because he has to prepare the team for the 2015 ODI World Cup. Is. Although the Indian team could not succeed in that series, Dhoni's strict attitude towards fielding at that time is visible in today's new and young team. He took important and tough decisions for agility in fielding.

6. Bowling Ishant Sharma in the 2013 Champions Trophy

In the 2013 Champions Trophy final, India had set a target of 130 against England on a slow pitch at Edgbaston. Chasing this target, England got off to a good start. Dhoni used his trusty spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin to contain the English batsmen. At one stage England needed 28 runs in 18 balls. Surprisingly, on this occasion, captain Dhoni gave the ball to Ishant Sharma, who had given away 11 runs in the 16th over.

No one understood this decision. Morgan hit a six in this over and Ishant threw two wides. However, Dhoni's ploy came to the fore when Ishant tricked Morgan with a slower ball and was caught by Ashwin at short mid-wicket. After this, he took the wicket of Ravi Bopara on the next ball. Ishant made India's way a little easier by dismissing two set batsmen. Dhoni's understanding made Team India the champion in the Champions Trophy.

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