MS Dhoni is a champion player. The Ranchi-based wicket-keeper batsman is the only captain on the planet to lead his nation to the ICC World Cup win, ICC T20 World Cup triumph, and also the ICC Champions Trophy win. The unique thing about Dhoni’s leadership is that he backs his players to perfection. That is the reason why his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings have qualified for the second round in every IPL season.
In this article, we will have a look at those 7 times when MS Dhoni backed his players like a true leader.
MS Dhoni backs Virat Kohli to do well in 2015 World Cup:
Before the 2015 World Cup semifinal match against Australia, Virat Kohli had scores of 46, 33 not out, 33, 44 not out, 38 and 3. He had scored a hundred against Pakistan, but could not continue his form. Still, Dhoni backed him in the pre-match press conference. Unfortunately, Kohli could not play well in the semifinal.
MS Dhoni backs fast bowlers to perform well in 2014 T20 World Cup
In the year 2013-14, India did not have a strong bowling attack as they have today. The Indian bowlers leaked runs at a hammering rate in limited overs games. Still, Dhoni backed them by saying that their IPL experience would help them do well. India reached the finals that year.
MS Dhoni backs fast bowlers again in 2014
In the same year, West Indies had destroyed the Indian fast bowling attack in Kochi. Except Bhuvneshwar Kumar, every Indian bowler had an expensive economy rate. India lost that one-dayer by 124 runs. Still, Dhoni backed his bowlers in the press conference.
MS Dhoni backs struggling Suresh Raina in 2015
In October 2015, the South African team dominated the Indian team in the 5-match ODI series. Suresh Raina could not live up to the expectations, but MS Dhoni knew the talent he possessed and he backed him by stating:
“More than the form he needs to give himself a bit more time. He’s gone in and played the big shots. Whenever you go in you actually have more time than what you think. It’s important for him to play a few deliveries.”
MS Dhoni backs fast bowlers in 2012
As mentioned ahead, India’s fast bowlers could not perform consistently during the second half of MS Dhoni’s captaincy reign. Bangladesh defeated India by 5 wickets in Asia Cup 2012 by chasing down 290 runs. However, Dhoni backed his bowlers and ultimately, won the Champions Trophy in England next year.
MS Dhoni backs Hardik Pandya in 2016:
MS Dhoni was the one who introduced the duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya at the international level in 2016. Hardik made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 2016 and returned with figures of 3/31. Dhoni then made a huge statement by saying that Pandya would be game-changer for India in the 2017 Champions Trophy and eventually, the all-rounder played brilliantly for the side.
MS Dhoni backs Kevin Pietersen in IPL 2016:
MS Dhoni and Kevin Pietersen have a good relation off the field. Pietersen joined Dhoni’s Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016. Since he had not played for England for a long time, he needed some support and Dhoni backed him by saying:
“KP is a fantastic player, someone who is very aggressive and at the same time very expressive on the field. It is good to have him in the side.”
