MS Dhoni’s Tactical Brilliance in the 2013 Champions Trophy Final
In a recent episode of JioHotstar’s “Unbeaten: Dhoni’s Dynamites,” Ravichandran Ashwin recounted the extraordinary tactics employed by MS Dhoni during the 2013 Champions Trophy final against England. The match, held at Edgbaston, witnessed India defending a modest total of 129 runs after rain had reduced the game to just 20 overs.
Dhoni’s Strategic Insights
Ashwin revealed, “Mahi bhai came up to me and said, ‘Don’t bowl over the stumps to Trott; bowl from around the wicket. He’ll try to play on the leg side, and if the ball spins, he’ll get stumped.’” This prophetic move led to the dismissal of Jonathan Trott and showcased Dhoni’s unparalleled game awareness.
A Collective Effort
The Indian team’s resilience was evident as they overcame pressure in a high-stakes match. Dinesh Karthik expressed, “This was our chance to show what cricket meant to Team India. Dhoni made some brilliant tactical moves, and the bowlers backed him up.”
Former cricketer Akash Chopra echoed this sentiment, highlighting Dhoni’s impact: “It had Dhoni written all over it. He engineered victory after victory.”
Turning Points in the Match
A pivotal moment came when Dhoni brought back Ishant Sharma, who had struggled earlier. Following Dhoni’s advice on varying pace, Sharma took two crucial wickets in the 17th over, demonstrating Dhoni’s Midas touch.
Moreover, Dhoni’s decision to let Ashwin bowl the final over was a gamble that paid off, securing a five-run victory for India. “Dhoni had complete confidence in Ashwin—not just in his skills, but in his mindset,” Chopra noted.
Looking Ahead
As the Indian team prepares for their upcoming Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, they carry forward the legacy of Dhoni’s leadership.
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