Sanjay Manjrekar ranks Ex-Pakistan captain above MS Dhoni

Published - 29 Aug 2025, 06:22 PM

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MS Dhoni’s leadership has left an unforgettable mark on Indian cricket, and his ability to transform teams is still winning hearts. MS Dhoni had led a young and inexperienced Indian cricket team to the inaugural T20 World Cup title in 2007 and shocked everyone with his calm and calculated captaincy.

Four years later, India won the ODI World Cup in 2011 under Dhoni’s captaincy after 28 years, and how could a cricket fan forget his iconic six at the packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in the final against Sri Lanka? The legendary wicketkeeper had played an iconic knock of 98* in the final.

Sanjay Manjrekar ranks MS Dhoni among the greatest captains

Six years later, in 2013, the former Indian captain achieved another milestone as skipper, leading the Men in Blue to the ICC Champions Trophy in England, proving once again that his leadership could make even an average or inexperienced team perform at a higher level and win the silverware.

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Recently, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has showered rich praise on Dhoni, comparing his impact as the leader to legendary captains like Imran Khan. Manjrekar highlighted how Dhoni’s leadership style—calm, strategic, and inspiring—continues to set a benchmark for Indian cricket.

Sanjay Manjrekar said on Stalin Mathias’ YouTube channel, “I would rank Imran Khan from the days gone by, and after that, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as to what he was able to do as a captain. I thought he single-handedly raised the bar for the team and got even, maybe an average team sometimes, an inexperienced team, for example, in that 2007 T20 World Cup, to go and win titles.”

Sanjay Manjrekar hails MS Dhoni’s calmness and brilliance in big matches

He also hailed Dhoni for making the impossible possible as the teams under him thrived and brought home trophies. The commentator also noted the legendary cricketer’s composure in high-pressure matches, especially finals, saying there is no captain like him in the big games.

Manjrekar further explained, “And I think he was different when it came to performances on the big stage. He played the final just like he would play one of the earlier league matches. I think the moment, just that whole stay that you have for the big finals, can get to a lot of players and definitely gets to a few captains as well. MS was different in that regard.”

Shreyas Gopal praises MS Dhoni’s humility and cricketing genius

Earlier, Shreyas Gopal hailed MS Dhoni, saying being MSD is not as easy as it looks. The bowler said that fans only see the fame, cheers, and celebrations, but only a few realize the level of humility, empathy, and care he brings to the game and his teammates.

Gopal noted that Dhoni is not just a cricket legend, but his simplicity and grounded nature, even as one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world, make him more admirable and greater. His approach to leadership is another reason he stands out.

He also said that Dhoni teaches how to handle stardom, how to lead a team, and how to finish matches under pressure. Gopal also mentioned that coaches, teammates, and cricket experts often point out that learning from Dhoni is like attending a masterclass in captaincy.

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MS Dhoni Sanjay Manjrekar India National Cricket Team Imran Khan