5 Masterstrokes by MS Dhoni-The Captain

#1 Promoting himself in the 2011 World Cup final

Dhoni conjured magic on the biggest stage

India seemed destined to win the 2011 World Cup on home soil against Sri Lanka. However, things didn’t go to plan as Mahela Jayawardene powered Sri Lanka to a competitive 275 before Malinga got rid of the Indian openers.

Kohli and Gambhir steadied the ship for a while before Kohli was caught spectacularly by Dilshan. With the whole crowd waiting in anticipation for the man of the tournament, Yuvraj to walk out, Dhoni rolled up his sleeves and entered the battleground to stamp his authority.

Dhoni ended up playing a magical knock of 91* and finished the match with a trademark lofted shot over long-on. Though MS had promoted himself on many an occasion before, the courage to do it on the biggest stage made it special.

Though there have been many versions by different people with regards to who actually took the decision, the confidence of MS to give it the green light was enough in itself.

The decision helped the team quench the nation’s thirst for a World Cup and etched the team into Indian cricketing folklore. Hence, it ranks as the best decision ever made by MS as Indian captain.