Former India skipper MS Dhoni is one of the greatest captains to lead Indian cricket in the international arena. Dhoni captained India to numerous memorable triumphs under his captaincy and holds the record for playing most matches as captain – 332. Recently, former selector Sanjay Jagdale revealed what Dhoni said after being appointed as the captain days before the 2007 World T20 in South Africa.
With Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly all pulling out of the inaugural edition, MS Dhoni was in charge of a young Indian team. He played fearless cricket which completely changed the landscape of Indian cricket forever. Dhoni led by example and inspired India to a memorable triumph at the 2007 World Cup after a thrilling win in the final against Pakistan.
World Cup jeet ke ayenge – MS Dhoni after appointed captain
Sanjay Jagdale, who was a part of the selection committee which appointed MS Dhoni as the leader, recently recalled what Dhoni had told him after he was appointed as the captain of the Indian team.
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“This was 2007 and I was a selector. And I was with the Indian team in England, and we were having a one-day series. Dilip [Vengsarkar] was chairman…and we had a meeting for selecting the World Cup 2007 team,” Sanjay Jagdale said in an interview with Sportskeeda.
“So Sachin, Sourav and Rahul had told us, ‘Don’t consider us.’ So we picked a new team, a very young team. And I was in London, I had given my opinion, and Dhoni became captain for the first time,” Jagdale added.
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Since then, MS Dhoni has gone on to win three ICC events – ICC World T20 in 2007, ICC World Cup in 2011, and ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. He is the only captain in the history of the game to win three ICC titles. Sanjay Jagdale went on to reveal how Dhoni was confident right from the beginning and was determined to bring the prestigious trophy from South Africa.
“So after the seventh one day was over, I still recollect in the dressing room I told MS, ‘This is a good team.’ And he said, ‘Sir, World Cup jeetke ayenge (Sir, we will come back with the World Cup).’ I was shocked just seeing the confidence,” Jagdale recalled.
MS Dhoni called time on his glorious career earlier this year on August 15. However, he is still available for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
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