Former selector explains reason behind BCCI's decision to appoint MS Dhoni as skipper in 2007

Dhoni is the only skipper in the history of cricket to have won all three ICC white-ball trophies.

MS Dhoni | GettyMS Dhoni’s achievement as a cricketer is surreal, to say the least. In particular, he has etched his name in the history books as one of India’s finest captains.

Dhoni is the only skipper in the history of cricket to have won all three ICC white-ball trophies – 2007 World T20, 2011 Cricket World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. He also led India to the pinnacle in Test cricket.

While Dhoni has retired from international cricket in 2020, he continues to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Last month, the 41-year-old captained CSK to record-equalling fifth IPL title.

In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, former India selector Bhupinder Singh Sr revealed the reason behind BCCI's decision to appoint Dhoni as skipper way back in 2007.

"Apart from being an automatic choice in the team, you look at the player's cricketing acumen, body language, ability to lead from the front and man management skills. We saw Dhoni's approach to the game, body language, how he spoke to others; we got a positive feedback," Singh said.

Speculations were rife that Dhoni will call time on his IPL career after the 2023 season. However, the CSK skipper vowed to return next season fitness-permitting.

“Looking for an answer? Circumstantially if you see, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love and affection I have been shown wherever I have been this year, the easy thing would be for me to say "Thank you very much", but the tough thing for me is to work hard for another 9 months and come back and play at least 1 more season of IPL. A lot depends on the body, I have 6-7 months to decide. It will be more like a gift from my side, it's not easy for me but that's a gift. The way they've shown their love and affection, I think that's something I need to do for them,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation after CSK’s IPL 2023 triumph.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 20 Jun, 2023

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