5 Masterstrokes by MS Dhoni-The Captain

#2 Keeping faith in Virat Kohli before the Adelaide test in 2012

Kohli played a career-defining knock

In 2011-12, India toured Australia for a four-match series. The 2011-12 season hadn’t been a fruitful season for the Men in Blue as they had been whitewashed 4-0 in England earlier. With India losing its first three games on the tour Down Under, the pressure was mounting on the team and its captain, MS Dhoni.

Amidst all the tension, MS kept his calm and came up with one of his masterstrokes. Kohli had a quiet series until the final test and there were several people calling for his head. Many believed that Kohli had exhausted his opportunities and that Rohit Sharma deserved his time in the sun.

Dhoni, however, did not bow down to the pressure and he persisted with Kohli. The current Indian captain responded with a magnificent ton at Adelaide where he displayed exemplary grit and determination.

Kohli’s test career could’ve been in jeopardy had he been dropped but his captain’s confidence combined with his precocious talent ensured that it didn’t happen. At present, Kohli is undisputedly the best batsman across all formats. But things could’ve panned out so differently had Kohli been consigned to the side-line in Adelaide in 2012.

Credit must be given to the captain where it is due and hence this masterstroke of MS makes it to our list at No.2.