Why Dhoni is the best captain India ever had

An India-Pakistan encounter in an ICC tournament, irrespective of the relative form of the teams, is all about nerves. In a tense match typically marked by fluctuating fortunes, the 2007 inaugural T 20 world cup boiled down to Pakistan needing 20 runs off the last two overs. Just as India looked to be on top, Pakistan’s in form batsman Misbah-il-Haq, with two batting partners in hand, led a counter-attack that threatened to take the game away. This was when M S Dhoni made two crucial decisions.

Despite the precarious situation, Dhoni refused to be defensive. Aware that Misbah will be tempted to target the short boundary of 58 meters at square leg, Dhoni posted S Sreesanth at short third man. It was a risk. Any ball travelling on either side or above the fielder would go very fast to the boundary on the quick outfield at the Wanderers stadium at Johannesburg.

A couple of balls later, Misbah did attempt a hoick and though the ball did not go far, Dhoni made a quick mental note. The other decision was even more audacious. After R P Singh removed Umer Gul but conceded a slashed four to last man Mohammad Asif, Pakistan needed 13 runs off the last over. Instead of the more experienced Harbhajan Singh, Dhoni placed his trust in Joginder Sharma. It was a tough call, but Harbhajan had failed to build pressure and his three overs had gone for 36 runs.

Sharma, who had been niggardly in the match so far, began with a wide. Dhoni went across for a word. As Indian fans held their breath, Sharma went wide of the off stump again, but stayed within the white marker. It was clear that Dhoni had advised Sharma not to change his line, in spite of the first ball wide. A couple of deliveries later, Pakistan needed six runs off four balls after Misbah struck a straight six. Then, looking to seal the match, Misbah took a pre-mediated step outside off stump and tried to scoop Sharma over his left shoulder and ball lobbed gently to a waiting Sreeshanth.

A T 20 Revolution

At age 26, Dhoni led a relatively unheralded Indian squad to a famous win. The team displayed elements of greatness that would see India win the bigger prize of the ODI world cup in 2011 – Gautam Gambhir’s 85 held the Indian batting together while a young Rohit Sharma in at number 6 scored a vital 30 to take the total to 157. The tournament and the final marked the start of a T 20 revolution and solidified India’s growing dominance over Pakistan in T 20 world cups that remained unbroken till 2021.

Dhoni’s leadership showed why he was an inspired choice. It was early evidence of his ability to handle immense pressure and not be swayed by reputations. He soon established himself as a fierce competitor who would not give up to the last ball. In the 2007 final he knew the Indian score was sub-par, but kept an attacking second slip that almost immediately yielded results as Pakistan faltered in gambling on the mercurial Shahid Afridi and chose a more conventional opening pair. Any sign of weakness, Dhoni would pounce.

The induction of Dhoni, now 43, into the ICC Hall of Fame this week is long overdue. Perhaps it was fitting that it came after a forgettable season as captain of Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 IPL. The just concluded IPL almost certainly marks the last time he would turn out for CSK even though there is no official word. At the same time, despite CSK ending at the bottom of the table, Dhoni showed why he is an extraordinary wicket keeper, his lightening quick stumpings accounting for five wickets and totalling a staggering 200 dismissals over all.

The highest tribute accorded to Dhoni by his team mates is that he was scrupulously fair in assessing strengths and making match day choices. He understood the demands of modern-day cricket and was prepared to invest in young players without a shred of insecurity. And while he nurtured talent, he captained squads with icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble. No other captain has been in such a position and Dhoni did not just manage – he succeeded. In the 2011 ODI world cup final in Mumbai, he promoted himself to bat before Singh, looking to ensure a victory.

Taking risks under pressure

The point about his captaincy was that Dhoni took decisions that would have certainly exposed him to criticism if they had not come off. But in Dhoni’s scheme of things, he would have done just the same all over again, even if things had gone wrong. India has had inspirational captains. Ganguly taught the Indian team to be bold and his bare chest act on the Lord’s balcony in 2002 was a deliberate act of assertion. After Dhoni’s tenure, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have shown ability and leadership to win and home and abroad. But none can rival Dhoni in match awareness, there is no better judge of on field situations and Dhoni was almost uncanny in his fielding and bowling choices.

Years after his initial success as captain, Dhoni negotiated ups and downs, regaining winning momentum after setbacks. His calm on and off the field that saw him earn the moniker “Captain Cool” was matched by an innate pleasant demeanour not given to in-your-face aggression. A genuinely pleased smile and a pat on the back were his way of acknowledging a good catch or a wicket. On the other hand, an occasional sharp look was the only response to a poor effort as a computer-like mind swiftly shifted gears, considering available options to contain the opposition.

Dhoni’s captaincy record speaks for itself winning 27 of 60 matches while his ODI record is no less formidable as India won 110 of 200 matches under his stewardship. The statistics mask crucial interventions like a career best 224 against Australia in Chennai in 2013 which turned the game around. His ability to win big matches made the difference. He realised champion teams need to display big match temperament but also understood this did not happen without engagement and trust. Under his leadership, players felt secure and delivered their best, something that marks the way CSK is run.

The Finishing Touch

Just as his batting is recognised for sheer power and Dhoni came to be seen to be invincible as a finisher, his style is often described as “unconventional,” suggesting a lack of finesse. His technique was certainly unorthodox, but it would be unfair to compare him with more classical batters. An amazing bat speed and lightening quick shuffles foxed bowlers who he smote with brute force. The back lift was often minimal but the ball seemed to invariably strike the middle of the bat. The helicopter shot is as much about skill and timing as it is about power. It was an unnerving experience to bowl to Dhoni.

Dhoni’s contributions to Indian cricket cannot be surmised in statistics and win-loss ratios. He changed mindsets and his example proved inspirational for players from smaller cities and towns. The fruits of the Dhoni years can be seen in the talent and confidence of local players in every IPL who are making a mark for themselves.

In the 2020-21 tour of Australia, India began with a disastrous loss at Adelaide bowled out for 36 in the second innings. After Virat Kohli returned to India for the birth of his first child and injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami depleted the team, India staged a remarkable turnaround and won the Test series 2-1. And the best tribute to the self-belief Dhoni instilled in Indian cricket lay in the emergence of Rishbah Pant and Mohammad Siraj as new stars.

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