India's most successful captain has followed his instincts and surprised even those who brought him into the team.
If Sourav Ganguly is known as a great captain then MS Dhoni will be regarded as the most successful one. The man from Jharkhand, on Sunday, added another feather to his overcrowded cap by winning the Champions Trophy.
He became the first skipper to win the World T20 (2007), World Cup (2011) and now the CT . Not only this, the 31-year-old led India to the No. 1 Test rankings from 2009 — 18 months at stretch.
There are both admirers and critics for Dhoni’s bold and unorthodox way of leadership. But that has hardly mattered to the man with the Midas touch. From handing over the ball to Joginder Sharma for the last over in a high pressure World T20 finals against Pakistan to opening with Rohit Sharma in indifferent English conditions in the Champions Trophy. Dhoni has always followed his instincts. And it has worked for him more often than not.
It was former India skipper and then chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar’s decision to hand over the captaincy to Dhoni in 2007 ahead of the seniors. The World T20 was supposed to be a non-serious tourney, but the perception changed once India won it.
“As selectors we had to appoint a captain who could lead in the future. We had a vision in mind. And we gave the job to Dhoni, who was was courageous. Basically his body language was positive and the way he carried himself on and off the field — worked for him,” said Vengsarkar.
He feels it is Dhoni’s “man management” that makes him different. “Nobody is a born leader. But he has learnt leadership skills quickly. Besides that he backs his players,” he added.
Former Test cricketer Kiran More, chief selector in 2004-05, gave Dhoni the much-needed break in the international scene. However, even he did not foresee his rise as India’s most successful captain.
“After watching him in a domestic tie, I saw him as someone who could lessen the burden of wicket-keeping from Rahul Dravid. Dhoni’s batting was an added advantage, making him an all-rounder, but not a leader. But the way he has crafted his skills has been brilliant as far as a full-time captain. In fact, Greg Chappell had said he could be our future captain and he was right.”
“He is cool and ready to give 100 per cent. He sees positivity even in defeats. He is never afraid of implementing if he believes in something,” he adds.
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