MS Dhoni’s calling card was composure under pressure – VVS Laxman

Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has paid tribute to his ex-captain MS Dhoni. Laxman stated that Dhoni’s decisions when the team was under immense pressure were calm and composed and this trait helped him in going a long way as India’s most successful captain.

There is no doubt that the triumph of the 2007 World T20 was the catalyst for Dhoni’s captaincy. Dhoni was given the mantle of the leadership after India faced an ignominious defeat in the 50-overs 2007 World Cup. Subsequently, the big Indian players took a step back from the T20 World Cup and Dhoni went on to lead a young side to glory.

Since then he hasn’t looked back and his methods as captain were mostly successful. Dhoni then also went on to lead the team to glory in the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Not only Dhoni succeeded as a captain but also he went on to become the best finisher and the best wicket-keeper in the business. The right-hander from Ranchi, went on to score 10773 runs in 350 ODI matches at an impressive average of 50.57.

Dhoni scored 4876 runs in 90 Test matches at a decent average of 38.09. The legendary batsman has scored 1617 runs in 98 T20I matches at an average of 37.6.

Dhoni was always known to stay one step ahead of the opposition and he has one of the shrewdest minds in the cricket world. The talisman knew how to handle the pressure and took some bold moves in the crucial junctions of the big matches for the Indian team. Dhoni knew how to get the best out of his players and he always gave them the right confidence.

Dhoni’s abilities to handle the crunch situation with aplomb is also second to none. One can never read that Dhoni is under the pump as he doesn’t allow the nerves to get the best out of himself.

Laxman wrote in his Tweet, “Blessed with the rare equanimity of viewing cricket as a sport and not a matter of life and death, @msdhoni ’s  calling card was composure, especially under pressure. The 2007 World T20 triumph catalysed the stirring captaincy saga of a leader who talked through his deeds”.