Magic from nothingness; Dhoni’s diplomacy makes Ishant Sharma a hero
Fans celebrated the ninth anniversary of the Indian team’s victory in the 2013 Champions Trophy yesterday. The last ICC title India won was the 2013 Champions Trophy.
India won by defeating hosts England in the final. In the match, which was reduced to 20 overs due to rain, Dhoni batted first and scored 129 runs. Virat Kohli’s 43 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 33 put India in a good position.
Any team will be afraid that that score will be enough to win a final. But Dhoni, who is the captain of the Indian team, did not have that fear. “God, no rain can save us,” Dhoni said.
India were bowled out for 46 by England in the ninth over for just 46 runs. But for the fifth wicket, Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopare put England back in contention.
England reached just 27 in the last three overs. Bopara and Morgan were the batsmen who established themselves at the crease. The moment when any captain seems to give up the game.
All the captains think is to bring in the best bowler and win the match back. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was bowling well in Dhoni’s hands to bowl the next over. And Ashwin.
Fans and cricket observers may have thought that one of them would throw the next over. Even the England players thought so. But Dhoni was always different. He always likes to think outside the box.
Dhoni called on Ishant Sharma, who had conceded 27 runs in three overs, to bowl the crucial over. Until then, Ishant had not been able to do anything in the match. When Ishant came to throw, the fans and the commentary box frowned.
They had questioned Dhoni’s decision. His first four balls proved to be the answer to that question. Ishant bowled the first ball well but gave up a six off the second ball. The next two balls were wide.
But in the next ball, Ishant hit Morgan in the trap set by Dhoni. Ishant dismissed Bopare as he was batting well on the next ball. With this, India was back in the game.
From the commentary box, Harsha Bogle used to say ‘Ishant becomes Zero to Hero’. But the real hero was the man behind the wicket.
This is not the first time Dhoni has taken such bold decisions. He has accomplished many things that seem foolish to others. Only a brave hero can make that decision. That was Dhoni’s victory.
Content Highlights: M.S Dhoni made Ishant Sharma zero to hero
