The legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was the one to suggest MS Dhoni’s name for the captain’s position during the T20 World Cup 2007. The veteran closely observed Dhoni’s match reading skills that convinced him to propose the wicketkeeper’s name for captaincy role.
MS Dhoni’s maiden stint as the captain was in T20 World Cup 2007. Many didn’t have hopes of India’s victory in the mega event but Dhoni with his excellent captaincy led the team to grab the hand on the coveted trophy. After the triumph in T20 World Cup, Dhoni was also given the captaincy of ODI team.
With his instinctive and unpredictable decisions, he ended India’s 28-year long wait and clinched World Cup trophy in 2011.
I was understanding what MS Dhoni was thinking: Sachin Tendulkar
BCCI had inquired Sachin to give a name for the captain’s position after the experienced players decided to snub the inauguration edition of the T20 World Cup. The batting maestro had Dhoni’s name in mind.
“I wouldn’t get into details how it happened but yes I did say when I was asked (by the senior BCCI people) as to what do I think,” Sachin said in the recent interview to PTI.
Sachin Tendulkar used to observed the youngster’s skill from his slip position. He was impressed with Dhoni’s cricket brain and concluded that the wicketkeeper would be best suited for the responsible job.
“I had mentioned that I won’t be going to SA as I was carrying a few injuries… But back then, I used to stand in the slip cordon and I used to interact with MS and understand what he was thinking, the field setting and I would discuss all those aspects,” Sachin said.
“I observed his match reading and I came to a conclusion that he had a good cricketing brain so I suggested to the board that this is what I feel. MS should be the next one to take charge,” he added.
Sachin heaped praise on MS Dhoni’s convincing power, therefore, they think alike.
“Whatever I was thinking and whatever he thought, we were more or less on the same page. If I have to convince you about something, I have to be on your page and that is exactly what happened with MS. We both were thinking alike and that’s why I suggested suggested he should be the one,” Sachin Tendulkar said.