None other than latest India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has recently explained what make the wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni special and successful as a captain. In an episode of a podcast that he was interviewed for, Ashwin explained how Dhoni was able to stay loyal to his strategies and let his players express themselves but within structures.
Dhoni’s Leadership Success
MS Dhoni is one of cricket’s most successful captains. He led India to victory in many ICC tournaments,
- The inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.
- The ODI World Cup in 2011, India’s first since 1983.
- The ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.
Dhoni also captained India to the top of the ICC Test Rankings and became the only skipper to whitewash Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy twice.
Keeping it Simple
As quoted from Ashwin’s tweet, it seems like Dhoni succeeded because he does the simplest things properly. This caused Ashwin to describe him thus: “He makes the game look easy because of his basics.” This, he said, makes Dhoni unique from other captains who tend to complicate issues as much as possible.
Trusting Bowlers but Demanding Discipline
Ashwin explained that Dhoni left the bowlers to set their own fields and to do whatever they wanted. However, this he expected discipline. “If you bowled a loose ball and gave away boundaries, he would ensure that he made you feel that it was all your fault,” Ashwin said.
Dhoni’s methods ensured bowlers learned from their mistakes while maintaining focus.
Using Players Effectively
Ashwin gave the example of Tushar Deshpande of IPL 2023. During the captaincy of Dhoni, Deshpande emerged as one of the best bowlers in the league. Dhoni gave simple advice: We need to focus on minor marginal gains – such as bowling for fewer runs. This offloaded some pressure on the bowler and at the same time he or she would gain confidence.
Impressive Records as Captain
Dhoni’s achievements as captain are remarkable:
- Tests: Led India in 60 matches with 27 wins.
- ODIs: Captained in 200 matches with 110 victories.
- T20Is: Led in 74 matches, winning 41 of them.
His winning percentages in all formats rank among the best for Indian captains.
A Legacy of Simplicity and Success
MS Dhoni has been a very calm captain who confused his strategies less and believed in his team. While awaiting his return to the CSK team in 2025 IPL AUS Ashwin never ceases to appreciate how Dhoni sets example for players politically.
