New Delhi, December 24: Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shed light on the leadership qualities that made Mahendra Singh Dhoni one of the most successful captains in cricket history. According to Ashwin, Dhoni’s simplicity and commitment to mastering the basics were pivotal to his success, setting him apart from other captains.
Dhoni, regarded as one of the finest captains in the game, retired after leading India to victories in all major ICC tournaments, including the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Dhoni’s Legacy of Leadership
Dhoni first rose to prominence as a captain in 2007, leading a young Indian team to victory in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup. Four years later, he guided India to its second ODI World Cup title, becoming the first captain since Kapil Dev in 1983 to achieve this feat. In 2013, amidst challenging circumstances, Dhoni maintained his composure and inspired India to win the ICC Champions Trophy, further cementing his legacy.
The Essence of Dhoni’s Captaincy
Speaking on Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Ashwin emphasized Dhoni’s ability to stick to cricket’s fundamentals.
“The answer is simple: he gets the basics right. Most captains tend to forget the basics, which makes the game more challenging for them,” said Ashwin.
The spinner recalled how Dhoni empowered bowlers to take ownership of their craft while holding them accountable for their performances.
“He never handed the ball to a bowler casually. He’d always say, ‘Own your field and bowl accordingly.’ He despised loose deliveries to new batters and ensured accountability,” Ashwin shared.
Despite occasional setbacks, Dhoni encouraged his players to learn from mistakes. Ashwin noted, “Even if I conceded two or three boundaries in an over, he’d back me. But if I bowled poorly to a new batter, he’d let me know and replace me. That was Dhoni’s way—sticking to the basics.”
IPL Success and Dhoni’s Simplified Approach
Dhoni’s leadership extended to the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he guided Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a record-equalling fifth IPL title in 2023. Under his guidance, pacer Tushar Deshpande emerged as one of the league’s leading wicket-takers, claiming 21 wickets in 16 matches.
Ashwin attributed Deshpande’s success to Dhoni’s straightforward approach.
“Dhoni simplifies the game. Last year, he would have told Deshpande, ‘Hit the longer boundary and give me two fewer runs than last year.’ This reduces pressure and builds confidence in the bowler,” Ashwin explained.
Unparalleled Achievements as India’s Captain
As a captain, Dhoni’s numbers speak volumes about his impact:
- Test Matches: Dhoni led India in 60 Tests, winning 27, losing 18, and drawing 15, with a win percentage of 45%. Under his leadership, India achieved the No. 1 ICC Test ranking and secured historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy whitewashes against Australia in 2010-11 and 2012-13.
- ODI Matches: Dhoni captained India in 200 ODIs, winning 110, losing 74, and drawing 5, with a win percentage of 55%.
- T20Is: In T20 Internationals, Dhoni led India in 74 matches, securing victory in 41 games with a win percentage of 58.33%.
Ashwin and Dhoni to Reunite in IPL 2025
Ashwin and Dhoni are set to reunite at CSK for IPL 2025, promising fans another chapter in their celebrated partnership. Reflecting on his experiences, Ashwin concluded,
“Some aspects of the game never change, and Dhoni’s ability to keep it simple has always been his greatest strength.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
