Irfan Pathan explains differences in MS Dhoni's captaincy in 2007 and 2013

In 2007, a young and long-haired MS Dhoni was appointed as the captain for the Indian team at the ICC T20 World Cup. Over the years, things have changed and Dhoni has become a legend by winning each and every ICC tournament at least once. He started with the inaugural T20 World Cup, then won the 50-overs World Cup in 2011 and finally won the Champions Trophy 2013.

In a recent interaction, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan explained what changed in regards to Dhoni’s captaincy. The all-rounder was an integral part of the former Indian captain’s team in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Pathan was the man of the match for his spell of 3 for 16 in the final in 2007 WT20. The all-rounder was with the squad at the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 as well.

MS Dhoni was very clear that in crucial time he needs to get his spinners into play to win the games: Irfan Pathan

“In 2007, it was the first time and you understand that when you are given a big responsibility of leading a team, you get excited,” said Irfan Pathan on Star Sports’ show ‘Cricket Connected’ when asked what was the difference between MS Dhoni of 2007 and 2013.

Pathan explained that under MSD the team meetings were always small. He pointed out that Dhoni would always run to the bowlers to talk to them in between overs. This wasn’t the case when 2013 came. The attitude of the former Indian captain had changed by then. Irfan said that he let bowlers control themselves.

“The team meetings were always small though, both in 2007 and 2013 during Champions Trophy, just 5 minutes meeting. The one thing which really really changed was when young MS Dhoni became a captain in 2007, he used to run from wicketkeeping to bowling end in excitement and try to control the bowler as well but by the time 2013 came he was letting the bowler control themselves rather he controlling them. He was very calm and in control,” Irfan added.

The ex-Baroda all-rounder also revealed that Dhoni started trusting spinners as he got experience. Interestingly, in the 2013 Champions Trophy, he used Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin very smartly. In the final, the spin duo bowled the final two overs of the match as well.

“Between 2007 and 2013 he gained the experience of trusting his slow bowlers and spinners and by the time Champions Trophy came he was very clear that in crucial time he needs to get his spinners into play to win the games,” Pathan concluded.