Don't Take Tension, Give Tension: Lalchand Rajput Reveals MS Dhoni's Mantra To His Players During The 2007 World T20

Lalchand Rajput, former Team India manager, has spilled beans on how MS Dhoni made his players comfortable and got the best out of them during the triumphant 2007 ICC World T20 campaign in South Africa.

According to Rajput, Dhoni’s mantra for his players throughout the tournament was ‘don’t take tension, give tension’. Rajput added that Dhoni asked his players to cut out the external noise and focus on their own strengths.

“As a team, in a dressing room, the atmosphere should be very good. You should motivate players, and the players should not feel the pressure,” Lalchand Rajput said during a live interaction with Sportskeeda.

“Our theme during the World Cup was ‘don’t take tension, give tension’. Dhoni really believed in the motto that people will talk things, but we need to focus on our strengths, and don’t have to worry about what others are saying.” Rajput added.

Also Read: Lalchand Rajput Rates MS Dhoni As The Blend of Rahul Dravid And Sourav Ganguly

MS Dhoni captained India to the T20 World Cup in 2007

India had come into the tournament with a whole host of youngsters as the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid proceeded to sit out of the competition.

Led by a new captain, no one gave India a chance at the start of the tournament but the Men in Blue, through their fearless brand of cricket, defied all the odds, beating pre-tournament favorites South Africa and Australia to seal a finals berth against arch-rivals Pakistan.

The final, just like the group-stage game between India and Pakistan, proved to be a cliffhanger, with the Men in Blue once again keeping their nerves under control to script a five-wicket win.

Also Read: Lalchand Rajput Reveals The Player Who Asked Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar Not To Play 2007 T20 WC