Ex-cricketers credit MS Dhoni's 'unbelievable' tactical genius for India’s CT 2013 triumph

Former India cricketers Dinesh Karthik and Ravichandran Ashwin reflected on MS Dhoni's excellent captaincy during the final of Champions Trophy 2013. Karthik and Ashwin spoke about how India won a match from a losing situation just because of Dhoni's brilliant tactical moves.

The Champions Trophy 2013 final was played between India and England at Edgbaston. Both teams came into the final on the back of some brilliant performances throughout the tournament. However, India clinched a thriller in the final, thus denying England an ICC trophy on their home soil.

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Dinesh Karthik recalls MS Dhoni's masterclass in Champions Trophy 2013 final

While speaking JioHotstar’s Unbeaten: Dhoni’s Dynamites, Dinesh Karthik remembered how the team was determined enough to win the title despite being put in tough situations several times.

Karthik also claimed that England were cruising in the match at one point but Dhoni's brilliant tactics changed the game on its head and brought India back into the game.

“This was our chance to show what cricket meant to Team India. We were resilient, we fought back, and we had the mindset to never give up. England were cruising; they were almost there and could have easily crossed the line. But (MS) Dhoni made some brilliant tactical moves, and the bowlers backed him up," Karthik said.

While MS Dhoni didn't have a great tournament with the bat, he ensured to contribute with some brilliant captaincy moves in the final. Karthik batted at No. 4 in that tournament and scored 82 runs at an average of 41 and a strike rate of 86.31.

"Still can’t believe how he predicted that" - Ravichandran Ashwin on MS Dhoni

Former India offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin was also present at the show and remembered MS Dhoni's excellent captaincy moves. Ashwin recalled a moment when Dhoni asked him to go around the wicket and it immediately resulted in the wicket of Jonathan Trott from the same angle.

“I still remember Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) came up to me and said, ‘Don’t bowl over the stumps to Trott; bowl from around the wicket. He’ll try to play on the leg side, and if the ball spins, he’ll get stumped.’ I still can’t believe how he predicted that," Ashwin said.

Ravichandran Ashwin had a good tournament with the ball as he picked up 8 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 22.62 and an economy rate of just 4.41. In the final, Ashwin produced outstanding figures of 2-15 in 4 overs.

India defeated England to win the CT 2013 final

The Champions Trophy 2013 final went down to the wire as England required six runs off the final ball to win the match. However, Ashwin kept his calm to produce a dot ball as India clinched the title.

It was a rain-hit game which was reduced to 20 overs-a side. India scored just 129-7 on the back of valuable contributions from Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and Ravindra Jadeja.

In reply, England were reduced to 124-8 in 20 overs. At one point, England were cruising with Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara going along nicely. However, Indian bowlers pulled things back with some brilliant bowling from Ashwin, Jadeja, and Ishant Sharma.