Published: Jun 24, 2013, 05:59 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 24, 2013, 05:59 PM (IST)
MS Dhoni now has all the major ICC Trophies under his belt © Getty Images
Birmingham: Jun 24, 2013
The British media doffed their hats at MS Dhoni — the “pragmatic, ineffably calm captain” and highlighted his leadership qualities which ultimately gave India a thrilling five-run victory in the rain-hit final of the ICC Champions Trophy against England.
“India could hardly believe what was happening, though for MS Dhoni, their pragmatic, ineffably calm captain it was probably a normal day at the office. He had put the squeeze on England at the start and he has been round long enough to know that anything can happen in short-form cricket and often does,” the Independent said.
The Daily Telegraph described Dhoni’s decision to bowl the last two overs with spinners as a “masterstroke”.
“… completely confounding tradition, the last two overs were entrusted by MS Dhoni to spinners. Spin has been one of the surprising successes of the shortest form of the game, and Dhoni’s choice was a master stroke,” the paper wrote.
The Daily Mirror was also effusive in its praise of the Indian captain who “marshalled his field and his bowlers like an all-knowing general”.
For the 31-year-old Dhoni, winning the Champions Trophy completed a remarkable cycle of triumphs which started with the T20 World Cup in 2007. India also won the 2011 ODI World Cup under his leadership and the victory on Sunday reaffirmed his status as India’s best-ever captain. No other captain in international cricket has won three major ICC trophies.
