Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy was the highlight of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20.
He was both a skipper and a leader of men in the competition.
He lifted the morale of his men and his captaincy was tactically stimulating.
Dhoni comprehended the ebb and flow of a Twenty20 innings, narrowed down the angles on the field with field-placements believed to be unconventional then, employed a mix of pace and spin to disrupt the batsmen’s rhythm, and thought out of the box at the death.
He was also guided by his instincts, could surprise opponents with his moves. That was a phase in his career, when Dhoni had a healthy appetite for risks. His captaincy was streaked with aggression.
Dhoni’s decision to bring on seamer Joginder Sharma, overlooking frontline bowlers, for the final over in that tumultuous summit clash against Pakistan at the Wanderers was a brave fling of the dice.
Pakistan required 13 with one wicket remaining at the beginning of the over. Misbah-ul-Haq, batting with increasing confidence, took strike.
A wide and a rousing six later, Pakistan needed six off four.
Then, Misbah attempted a fatal paddle sweep and the rest is history.
The gutsy Dhoni was the toast of the nation.
