Unlike football and a few other sports, the captains play a very active and a crucial role in cricket. There are key decisions to be made, ones which could possibly turn them into heroes or make them targets as well. Indian cricket has had multiple such moments where they&#8217;ve seen both sides of the coin and have faced both success and failure during crunch moments.

There have been courageous calls made by captains which have turned a certain player&#8217;s career upside down and has had a huge impact on their careers like Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni promoting Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma respectively to open the batting. There have been quite a few such moments.

But here we are looking at calls made by captains that changed the course of a particular game upside down. These calls have had a big role to play in Indian cricket. Here&#8217;s a look at some of the big and courageous calls taken by captains.

Here are such five decisions:

1. MS Dhoni giving Joginder Sharma the final over in 2007 World T20

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-406840" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Joginder-Sharma.jpg" alt="Joginder Sharma" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406840" class="wp-caption-text">Joginder Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

India went in to the inaugural World T20 in 2007 without some of the big stars. It was MS Dhoni leading a young team and no one had any expectations from them. They surprised most people by reaching the final. In the final, they faced arch-rivals Pakistan.

Gautam Gambhir’s excellent knock of 75 and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/not-such-a-great-sight-rohit-sharma-expresses-concern-over-delhi-violence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rohit’s Sharma</a>’s quickfire cameo (30 of 16 balls) propelled India to 157/5. It was then a collective effort with the ball that kept India ahead. They kept chipping away with wickets but it was Misbah-ul-Haq who kept Pakistan in the hunt. With 13 runs required off the final over (one wicket remaining), Dhoni had a choice to make between Harbhajan Singh and Joginder Sharma.

The off-spinner had gone for 36 runs in his three overs but was more experienced out of the two. Sharma had done a decent job but could’ve well be found out at the death. However, Dhoni backed Joginder to deliver. The Haryana pacer conceded a wide and a six before he dismissed Misbah on the third ball of the over to clinch the World T20 title for India.

2. Sourav Ganguly opting to bat first and playing two spinners on a green pitch at Leeds 2002

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-406841" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-2.jpg" alt="Sachin Tendulkar" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406841" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo by Frank Coppi/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>

When you go to England, see a green track and overcast conditions, you hope to win the toss and bowl. Moreover, there’s no way a team could play two spinners. But Sourav Ganguly did exactly the opposite of what captains normally tend to do.

India were 0-1 behind in the series going into the Leeds Test match. Ganguly won the toss and to everyone’s surprise, he batted first under overcast conditions and on a greenish pitch. He even picked both Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh and had just two frontline fast bowlers.

However, each one of those decisions paid off. India smoked 628/8 before declaring in the first innings. Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Ganguly smashed tons after <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/sanjay-bangar-opens-up-about-kuldeep-yadavs-chances-of-regaining-his-place-in-team-indias-t20i-set-up/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sanjay Bangar</a> and Dravid had battled out a tough period on the first day.

The Indian spin twins wreaked havoc as they picked up 11 wickets in the game. Kumble returned with seven wickets while Singh took five. A collective bowling effort helped India win the game by an innings and levelled the series.

3. Backing Ishant Sharma and spinners to deliver at the death in the 2013 Champions Trophy

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-406842" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Ishant-Sharma.jpg" alt="Ishant Sharma" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406842" class="wp-caption-text">Ishant Sharma. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)</figcaption>

India had a good run in the 2013 Champions Trophy. The MS Dhoni-led side were dominant in every game and ran through most of their oppositions. However, they faced hosts England in the final of the tournament.

In the final, rain played a massive part. After the toss, the rain came down and relented only just in time for a 20-over game to be played. England had already opted to bowl first. Shikhar Dhawan once again gave India a decent start as his 31 helped the ‘Men in Blue’ to 50 in the ninth over before Ravi Bopara triggered a collapse. India collapsed from 50/1 to 66/5.

But a stern partnership between Virat Kohli (43) and Ravindra Jadeja (33 not out) helped India get to a fighting total of 129. The Indian bowlers fought hard and it was the spinners (Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja) that helped India crawl their way back into the game.

However, a fine partnership between <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/eoin-morgan-will-be-kolkata-knight-riders-trump-card-in-ipl-2020-believes-harsha-bhogle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eoin Morgan</a> and Ravi Bopara who rescued the team from 46/4 to get them in sight of a win in the 18th over. It was Dhoni who then took a bold call. Ishant Sharma had gone for 27 runs in his three overs and conceded a six and a couple of wides in the all-important 18th over. But he changed the course of the game in no time as he picked up back to back wickets of the two set batsmen. Morgan and Bopara departed in the 18th over.

Ashwin and Jadeja were to bowl the last two overs and had 19 in the bank. They did a brilliant job and India won a thrilling game by five runs. That win gave Dhoni the third ICC title as captain.

4. Sourav Ganguly asking VVS Laxman to bat at No. 3 at the Eden Gardens Test

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-30771" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/VVS-Laxman-Rahul-Dravid-India-v-Australia-2001-Kolkata.jpg" alt="VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid" width="594" height="436" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-30771" class="wp-caption-text">VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. (© ARKO DATTA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The 2001 Kolkata Test match is a historic one in India’s 88-year cricket history. It is one of the biggest and best comebacks in Test cricket ever. Trailing the series 0-1 behind, India were behind even in the second Test in Kolkata. Despite Harbhajan Singh’s hat-trick, Australia racked up 445 in the first innings and India were bowled out for 171.

VVS Laxman was the only batsman who scored a half-century and looked comfortable. Hence, India followed on with 274 runs behind. However, India did get a decent start in the second innings. It was Laxman leading the charge at No. 3. India reached 232/4 when<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/crictracker-exclusive-rahul-dravid-encouraged-me-to-be-a-no-4-batsman-shivam-dube/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Rahul Dravid</a> joined Laxman. Things looked bleak but the duo simply batted, batted and batted.

India didn’t lose a single wicket on the fourth day with the Laxman-Dravid duo just tiring out the Australian bowlers. On the fifth day, Laxman ended with 281, Dravid made 180 and India declared the innings on 657/7. Australia had a little more than two sessions to bat out and they were 74/0 but Harbhajan spun a web around the Aussies and India won a famous Test match.

5. MS Dhoni promoting himself to No. 5 in the 2011 World Cup final

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-87993" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni World Cup six" width="600" height="420" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni (Photo credit INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

31, 34, 19 not out, 12 not out, 22, 7 and 25 were MS Dhoni&#8217;s scores in the lead up to the 2011 World Cup final. That&#8217;s 150 runs from seven innings and he had a strike-rate of 69.44 in the tournament before the final. He wasn&#8217;t in the best of forms.

But in the big final, he stepped up beautifully. India were chasing a stiff target of 275 in the high-pressure game and were jolted early. But a good partnership between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir put India back on track. When Kohli was dismissed the score read 114/3.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-dont-really-see-anyone-stepping-into-ms-dhoni-yuvraj-singhs-shoes-so-easily-msk-prasad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yuvraj Singh </a>was the in-form player and had a brilliant run in the World Cup. However, Dhoni decided to promote himself to No. 5 in order to counter the Sri Lankan off-spinners, Muttiah Muralitharan in particular. The then Indian skipper shared a 109-run stand with Gambhir to put India in command before driving the team home.

Dhoni finished unbeaten on 91 and it was one of the finest knocks under pressure in the World Cup final. The Ranchi-born cricketer was awarded the player of the match as India lifted the World Cup after 28 years.

Unlike football and a few other sports, the captains play a very active and a crucial role in cricket. There are key decisions to be made, ones which could possibly turn them into heroes or make them targets as well. Indian cricket has had multiple such moments where they’ve seen both sides of the coin and have faced both success and failure during crunch moments.
There have been courageous calls made by captains which have turned a certain player’s career upside down and has had a huge impact on their careers like Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni promoting Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma respectively to open the batting. There have been quite a few such moments.
But here we are looking at calls made by captains that changed the course of a particular game upside down. These calls have had a big role to play in Indian cricket. Here’s a look at some of the big and courageous calls taken by captains.
Here are such five decisions:&nbsp;
<h3>1. MS Dhoni giving Joginder Sharma the final over in 2007 World T20</h3>
<figure id="attachment_406840" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-406840" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-406840" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Joginder-Sharma.jpg" alt="Joginder Sharma" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406840" class="wp-caption-text">Joginder Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
India went in to the inaugural World T20 in 2007 without some of the big stars. It was MS Dhoni leading a young team and no one had any expectations from them. They surprised most people by reaching the final. In the final, they faced arch-rivals Pakistan.
Gautam Gambhir’s excellent knock of 75 and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/not-such-a-great-sight-rohit-sharma-expresses-concern-over-delhi-violence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rohit’s Sharma</a>’s quickfire cameo (30 of 16 balls) propelled India to 157/5. It was then a collective effort with the ball that kept India ahead. They kept chipping away with wickets but it was Misbah-ul-Haq who kept Pakistan in the hunt. With 13 runs required off the final over (one wicket remaining), Dhoni had a choice to make between Harbhajan Singh and Joginder Sharma.
The off-spinner had gone for 36 runs in his three overs but was more experienced out of the two. Sharma had done a decent job but could’ve well be found out at the death. However, Dhoni backed Joginder to deliver. The Haryana pacer conceded a wide and a six before he dismissed Misbah on the third ball of the over to clinch the World T20 title for India.

<h3>2. Sourav Ganguly opting to bat first and playing two spinners on a green pitch at Leeds 2002</h3>
<figure id="attachment_406841" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-406841" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-406841" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-2.jpg" alt="Sachin Tendulkar" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406841" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo by Frank Coppi/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
When you go to England, see a green track and overcast conditions, you hope to win the toss and bowl. Moreover, there’s no way a team could play two spinners. But Sourav Ganguly did exactly the opposite of what captains normally tend to do.
India were 0-1 behind in the series going into the Leeds Test match. Ganguly won the toss and to everyone’s surprise, he batted first under overcast conditions and on a greenish pitch. He even picked both Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh and had just two frontline fast bowlers.
However, each one of those decisions paid off. India smoked 628/8 before declaring in the first innings. Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Ganguly smashed tons after <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/sanjay-bangar-opens-up-about-kuldeep-yadavs-chances-of-regaining-his-place-in-team-indias-t20i-set-up/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sanjay Bangar</a> and Dravid had battled out a tough period on the first day.
The Indian spin twins wreaked havoc as they picked up 11 wickets in the game. Kumble returned with seven wickets while Singh took five. A collective bowling effort helped India win the game by an innings and levelled the series.

<h3>3. Backing Ishant Sharma and spinners to deliver at the death in the 2013 Champions Trophy</h3>
<figure id="attachment_406842" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-406842" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-406842" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Ishant-Sharma.jpg" alt="Ishant Sharma" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406842" class="wp-caption-text">Ishant Sharma. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
India had a good run in the 2013 Champions Trophy. The MS Dhoni-led side were dominant in every game and ran through most of their oppositions. However, they faced hosts England in the final of the tournament.
In the final, rain played a massive part. After the toss, the rain came down and relented only just in time for a 20-over game to be played. England had already opted to bowl first. Shikhar Dhawan once again gave India a decent start as his 31 helped the ‘Men in Blue’ to 50 in the ninth over before Ravi Bopara triggered a collapse. India collapsed from 50/1 to 66/5.
But a stern partnership between Virat Kohli (43) and Ravindra Jadeja (33 not out) helped India get to a fighting total of 129. The Indian bowlers fought hard and it was the spinners (Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja) that helped India crawl their way back into the game.
However, a fine partnership between <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/eoin-morgan-will-be-kolkata-knight-riders-trump-card-in-ipl-2020-believes-harsha-bhogle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eoin Morgan</a> and Ravi Bopara who rescued the team from 46/4 to get them in sight of a win in the 18th over. It was Dhoni who then took a bold call. Ishant Sharma had gone for 27 runs in his three overs and conceded a six and a couple of wides in the all-important 18th over. But he changed the course of the game in no time as he picked up back to back wickets of the two set batsmen. Morgan and Bopara departed in the 18th over.
Ashwin and Jadeja were to bowl the last two overs and had 19 in the bank. They did a brilliant job and India won a thrilling game by five runs. That win gave Dhoni the third ICC title as captain.

<h3>4. Sourav Ganguly asking VVS Laxman to bat at No. 3 at the Eden Gardens Test</h3>
<figure id="attachment_30771" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-30771" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-30771" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/VVS-Laxman-Rahul-Dravid-India-v-Australia-2001-Kolkata.jpg" alt="VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid" width="594" height="436" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-30771" class="wp-caption-text">VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. (© ARKO DATTA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The 2001 Kolkata Test match is a historic one in India’s 88-year cricket history. It is one of the biggest and best comebacks in Test cricket ever. Trailing the series 0-1 behind, India were behind even in the second Test in Kolkata. Despite Harbhajan Singh’s hat-trick, Australia racked up 445 in the first innings and India were bowled out for 171.
VVS Laxman was the only batsman who scored a half-century and looked comfortable. Hence, India followed on with 274 runs behind. However, India did get a decent start in the second innings. It was Laxman leading the charge at No. 3. India reached 232/4 when<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/crictracker-exclusive-rahul-dravid-encouraged-me-to-be-a-no-4-batsman-shivam-dube/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Rahul Dravid</a> joined Laxman. Things looked bleak but the duo simply batted, batted and batted.
India didn’t lose a single wicket on the fourth day with the Laxman-Dravid duo just tiring out the Australian bowlers. On the fifth day, Laxman ended with 281, Dravid made 180 and India declared the innings on 657/7. Australia had a little more than two sessions to bat out and they were 74/0 but Harbhajan spun a web around the Aussies and India won a famous Test match.

<h3>5. MS Dhoni promoting himself to No. 5 in the 2011 World Cup final</h3>
<figure id="attachment_87993" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-87993" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni World Cup six" width="600" height="420" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni (Photo credit INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
31, 34, 19 not out, 12 not out, 22, 7 and 25 were MS Dhoni’s scores in the lead up to the 2011 World Cup final. That’s 150 runs from seven innings and he had a strike-rate of 69.44 in the tournament before the final. He wasn’t in the best of forms.
But in the big final, he stepped up beautifully. India were chasing a stiff target of 275 in the high-pressure game and were jolted early. But a good partnership between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir put India back on track. When Kohli was dismissed the score read 114/3.
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-dont-really-see-anyone-stepping-into-ms-dhoni-yuvraj-singhs-shoes-so-easily-msk-prasad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yuvraj Singh </a>was the in-form player and had a brilliant run in the World Cup. However, Dhoni decided to promote himself to No. 5 in order to counter the Sri Lankan off-spinners, Muttiah Muralitharan in particular. The then Indian skipper shared a 109-run stand with Gambhir to put India in command before driving the team home.
Dhoni finished unbeaten on 91 and it was one of the finest knocks under pressure in the World Cup final. The Ranchi-born cricketer was awarded the player of the match as India lifted the World Cup after 28 years.

Unlike football and a few other sports, the captains play a very active and a crucial role in cricket. There are key decisions to be made, ones which could possibly turn them into heroes or make them targets as well. Indian cricket has had multiple such moments where they&#8217;ve seen both sides of the coin and have faced both success and failure during crunch moments.
There have been courageous calls made by captains which have turned a certain player&#8217;s career upside down and has had a huge impact on their careers like Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni promoting Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma respectively to open the batting. There have been quite a few such moments.
But here we are looking at calls made by captains that changed the course of a particular game upside down. These calls have had a big role to play in Indian cricket. Here&#8217;s a look at some of the big and courageous calls taken by captains.
Here are such five decisions: 
<h3>1. MS Dhoni giving Joginder Sharma the final over in 2007 World T20</h3>
<figure id="attachment_406840" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-406840" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-406840" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Joginder-Sharma.jpg" alt="Joginder Sharma" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406840" class="wp-caption-text">Joginder Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
India went in to the inaugural World T20 in 2007 without some of the big stars. It was MS Dhoni leading a young team and no one had any expectations from them. They surprised most people by reaching the final. In the final, they faced arch-rivals Pakistan.
Gautam Gambhir’s excellent knock of 75 and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/not-such-a-great-sight-rohit-sharma-expresses-concern-over-delhi-violence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rohit’s Sharma</a>’s quickfire cameo (30 of 16 balls) propelled India to 157/5. It was then a collective effort with the ball that kept India ahead. They kept chipping away with wickets but it was Misbah-ul-Haq who kept Pakistan in the hunt. With 13 runs required off the final over (one wicket remaining), Dhoni had a choice to make between Harbhajan Singh and Joginder Sharma.
The off-spinner had gone for 36 runs in his three overs but was more experienced out of the two. Sharma had done a decent job but could’ve well be found out at the death. However, Dhoni backed Joginder to deliver. The Haryana pacer conceded a wide and a six before he dismissed Misbah on the third ball of the over to clinch the World T20 title for India.

<h3>2. Sourav Ganguly opting to bat first and playing two spinners on a green pitch at Leeds 2002</h3>
<figure id="attachment_406841" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-406841" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-406841" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Sachin-Tendulkar-2.jpg" alt="Sachin Tendulkar" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406841" class="wp-caption-text">Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo by Frank Coppi/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
When you go to England, see a green track and overcast conditions, you hope to win the toss and bowl. Moreover, there’s no way a team could play two spinners. But Sourav Ganguly did exactly the opposite of what captains normally tend to do.
India were 0-1 behind in the series going into the Leeds Test match. Ganguly won the toss and to everyone’s surprise, he batted first under overcast conditions and on a greenish pitch. He even picked both Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh and had just two frontline fast bowlers.
However, each one of those decisions paid off. India smoked 628/8 before declaring in the first innings. Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Ganguly smashed tons after <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/sanjay-bangar-opens-up-about-kuldeep-yadavs-chances-of-regaining-his-place-in-team-indias-t20i-set-up/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sanjay Bangar</a> and Dravid had battled out a tough period on the first day.
The Indian spin twins wreaked havoc as they picked up 11 wickets in the game. Kumble returned with seven wickets while Singh took five. A collective bowling effort helped India win the game by an innings and levelled the series.

<h3>3. Backing Ishant Sharma and spinners to deliver at the death in the 2013 Champions Trophy</h3>
<figure id="attachment_406842" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-406842" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-406842" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Ishant-Sharma.jpg" alt="Ishant Sharma" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-406842" class="wp-caption-text">Ishant Sharma. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
India had a good run in the 2013 Champions Trophy. The MS Dhoni-led side were dominant in every game and ran through most of their oppositions. However, they faced hosts England in the final of the tournament.
In the final, rain played a massive part. After the toss, the rain came down and relented only just in time for a 20-over game to be played. England had already opted to bowl first. Shikhar Dhawan once again gave India a decent start as his 31 helped the ‘Men in Blue’ to 50 in the ninth over before Ravi Bopara triggered a collapse. India collapsed from 50/1 to 66/5.
But a stern partnership between Virat Kohli (43) and Ravindra Jadeja (33 not out) helped India get to a fighting total of 129. The Indian bowlers fought hard and it was the spinners (Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja) that helped India crawl their way back into the game.
However, a fine partnership between <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/eoin-morgan-will-be-kolkata-knight-riders-trump-card-in-ipl-2020-believes-harsha-bhogle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eoin Morgan</a> and Ravi Bopara who rescued the team from 46/4 to get them in sight of a win in the 18th over. It was Dhoni who then took a bold call. Ishant Sharma had gone for 27 runs in his three overs and conceded a six and a couple of wides in the all-important 18th over. But he changed the course of the game in no time as he picked up back to back wickets of the two set batsmen. Morgan and Bopara departed in the 18th over.
Ashwin and Jadeja were to bowl the last two overs and had 19 in the bank. They did a brilliant job and India won a thrilling game by five runs. That win gave Dhoni the third ICC title as captain.

<h3>4. Sourav Ganguly asking VVS Laxman to bat at No. 3 at the Eden Gardens Test</h3>
<figure id="attachment_30771" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-30771" style="width: 594px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-30771" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/VVS-Laxman-Rahul-Dravid-India-v-Australia-2001-Kolkata.jpg" alt="VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid" width="594" height="436" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-30771" class="wp-caption-text">VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. (© ARKO DATTA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The 2001 Kolkata Test match is a historic one in India’s 88-year cricket history. It is one of the biggest and best comebacks in Test cricket ever. Trailing the series 0-1 behind, India were behind even in the second Test in Kolkata. Despite Harbhajan Singh’s hat-trick, Australia racked up 445 in the first innings and India were bowled out for 171.
VVS Laxman was the only batsman who scored a half-century and looked comfortable. Hence, India followed on with 274 runs behind. However, India did get a decent start in the second innings. It was Laxman leading the charge at No. 3. India reached 232/4 when<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/crictracker-exclusive-rahul-dravid-encouraged-me-to-be-a-no-4-batsman-shivam-dube/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Rahul Dravid</a> joined Laxman. Things looked bleak but the duo simply batted, batted and batted.
India didn’t lose a single wicket on the fourth day with the Laxman-Dravid duo just tiring out the Australian bowlers. On the fifth day, Laxman ended with 281, Dravid made 180 and India declared the innings on 657/7. Australia had a little more than two sessions to bat out and they were 74/0 but Harbhajan spun a web around the Aussies and India won a famous Test match.

<h3>5. MS Dhoni promoting himself to No. 5 in the 2011 World Cup final</h3>
<figure id="attachment_87993" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-87993" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-87993" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni World Cup six" width="600" height="420" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni (Photo credit INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
31, 34, 19 not out, 12 not out, 22, 7 and 25 were MS Dhoni&#8217;s scores in the lead up to the 2011 World Cup final. That&#8217;s 150 runs from seven innings and he had a strike-rate of 69.44 in the tournament before the final. He wasn&#8217;t in the best of forms.
But in the big final, he stepped up beautifully. India were chasing a stiff target of 275 in the high-pressure game and were jolted early. But a good partnership between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir put India back on track. When Kohli was dismissed the score read 114/3.
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-dont-really-see-anyone-stepping-into-ms-dhoni-yuvraj-singhs-shoes-so-easily-msk-prasad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yuvraj Singh </a>was the in-form player and had a brilliant run in the World Cup. However, Dhoni decided to promote himself to No. 5 in order to counter the Sri Lankan off-spinners, Muttiah Muralitharan in particular. The then Indian skipper shared a 109-run stand with Gambhir to put India in command before driving the team home.
Dhoni finished unbeaten on 91 and it was one of the finest knocks under pressure in the World Cup final. The Ranchi-born cricketer was awarded the player of the match as India lifted the World Cup after 28 years.

Indian cricket has had multiple such moments where they've seen both sides of the coin.

5 Courageous decisions taken by Indian captains in cricket history

Indian cricket has had multiple such moments where they've seen both sides of the coin and and have faced both success and failure during crunch moments.