Top 5 bold decisions by MS Dhoni which paid off 

Undoubtedly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the greatest players India have ever produced. He has been a crowd favorite ever since he made his international debut with long hair.

When Dhoni was made skipper in 2007, Indians were suspect about how he would fare as skipper. But, MS Dhoni-led Indian team lifte the inaugural edition of Twenty20 International World Cup that held in South Africa in 2007.

Dhoni added several trophies to his collection and became one of the successful captains of the Indian team. He used to play as a finisher for India team and single-handedly won many matches for his team. He brings uniqueness to captaincy which separates himself from others.

He is often known to make bold decisions and has been successful too. Some of this bold moves have changed the path of many cricketers. Here we take a look at the top five bold decisions taken by MS Dhoni which paid off.

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#5 Persisting with young talents

Ashwin and Jad

The former Indian skipper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni never backs away from helping young cricketers and allowing them to shine on big matches, he has changed the career of several cricket players. He was the main reason for the growth of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay.

After the series of failures in Australia tour in 2011, MS Dhoni decided to retain Virat Kohli in Test squad. Virat smashed a century in Adelaide and is now one of the greatest cricketers in the world.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who have troubled many batsmen in the Indian pitches when they made their debut, have faced many failures outside India. However, MS Dhoni used to retain them in the national squad. Undoubtedly, they are now one of the greatest spinners in the world, especially in the longest format of the game.

#4 Promoting Rohit Sharma as an opener:

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni's another vital move was to promote Rohit Sharma as an opener in the International cricket. The Mumbai cricketer, Rohit Sharma made his International debut in the year 2007 and was seen as a bright talent.

But, he could not score big runs at the middle-order. In the absence of regular opener Virender Sehwag, the then-captain MS Dhoni asked Rohit to open the innings during the 2009 T20 World Cup. He scored 88 runs in two games, but he lost his opening lost once the regular opener was available.

After four years, he got an opportunity to open for India in the 2013 Champions Trophy. He was one of the main reason why India have lifted the Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma is now one of the most successful openers as he smashed three double hundreds in ODI and two centuries in T20I's.

#3 Promoting himself in the 2011 World Cup final:

India v Sri Lanka: 2011 ICC World Cup Final

This is one of the best amongst all of the great moves made by MS Dhoni. It was in 2011 when India faced Sri Lanka in the World Cup final at Mumbai. Sri Lanka has managed to post a defendable total of 275 on the board.

While chasing the tough total in the final, India lost Sehwag and Sachin for cheaply. While Gambhir and Virat added some runs for the 3rd wicket, Dilshan dismissed Kohli to put the pressure on India.

Yuvraj Singh, who had a brilliant tournament until then, was expected to walk in after Kohli lost his wicket. But, MS Dhoni stunned everyone by promoting himself up and ahead of Yuvraj. He decided to keep Yuvraj, who is not a good player of off-spin. However, the then-skipper, MS Dhoni played a match-winning knock along with the opener Gautam Gambhir. Dhoni-led Indian team lifted their second World Cup after 28 years.

#2 Joginder Sharma’s heroics in World T20 2007

India v Pakistan - 2007 World Cup final

This was the first ever move of his unpredictable decisions. Joginder Sharma will often be remembered for his last over against Pakistan in the finals of the World T20 where he held his nerve and bowled India to victory.

In the final of first ever T20 International World Cup, Pakistan needed 13 runs in the final over. While Misbah-ul-Haq on strike, Dhoni was expected to hand the ball to Harbhajan Singh. But, he surprised everyone by giving the ball to Joginder Sharma.

Misbah smashed a huge six to welcome Joginder Sharma. But, he continued to deliver at the wide line as per Dhoni's instruction. An impatient Misbah tried to play a scoop which landed safely on Sreesanth's hand at fine-leg and Indian team started their victory celebration.

#1 Ishant Sharma’s spell in Champions trophy 2013:

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Indian team were into the final of 2013 Champions Trophy. The game was reduced to a 20 over per innings and batting first, India posted a decent total of 129 on the board.

While the spinners contained the runs against Englishmen, the hosts smashed Ishant Sharma to reduce the required run rate. However, the skipper decided to handle the 18th over of the innings to Ishant Sharma.

The tall pacer, Ishant Sharma bowled a terrific over and dismissed both settled batsmen - Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara. This move by Dhoni helped him bowl his spinners in the last two overs. The spinners helped the Indian team to lift the Champions Trophy in 2013.