He has to go down as the best Indian captain – Aakash Chopra hails MS Dhoni

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has tipped MS Dhoni as the best Indian captain. Chopra feels Dhoni has to go down as the best Indian captain ever. Dhoni led a young brigade to glory in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and opened a new chapter in Indian cricket.

Subsequently, India won the 2011 ODI World Cup while playing in the home conditions under Dhoni’s leadership. Dhoni also scored a match-winning knock of 91 runs in the final against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Dhoni also took India to triumph in the 2013 Champions Trophy and became the first captain to win all three major ICC titles. Furthermore, India also climbed to the number one position in the ICC Test rankings.

“It has to be Dhoni. He played the 2007 World Cup with youngsters, and the 2011 World Cup with seniors; it was the last World Cup for Sachin Paaji and Dhoni also his [Tendulkar’s] exit. He has to go down as the best Indian captain,” Chopra told YouTuber Raj Shamani on a podcast.

The renowned commentator hailed Dhoni for getting the best out of the players and leading from behind as he allowed the players to back their plans.

“One change that he introduced was that he allowed others to take centre stage very often. Leading the stage from behind… you will see this quality very often. Not many people can do that but he has been that guy. He is like, ‘You proceed with your plan. If you fail, I’ll tell you how to do it,’” Chopra added.

Dhoni also led Chennai Super Kings to five titles in the Indian Premier League, which is the joint most along with Rohit Sharma.

“Another aspect is that how many players are eager to play for him. Will you go through a wall for the captain? Dhoni was that captain.

“Even in IPL, I have never seen a player who had played for the Chennai franchise and bad-mouth them. If they go out, they do it with fond memories,” Chopra added.

Dhoni could be retained by CSK as an uncapped player before the IPL mega auction.