How MS Dhoni’s Brilliant Captaincy Secured India’s 2013 ICC Champions Trophy Win Over England

Imagine being on the field during an ICC event final, tasked with defending just 130 runs in 20 overs against England’s explosive batting lineup. The pressure is sky-high, and then your captain turns to you and says, “Don’t look up; God isn’t coming to save you”. Suddenly, adrenaline kicks in, and every ounce of effort goes into fighting for your team. This is exactly what MS Dhoni did during the 2013 Champions Trophy final as with nerves of steel, he inspired Team India to pull off one of the most thrilling defenses in cricket history. Want to know how India managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat? Let’s dive into the incredible story behind this epic final.

2013 ICC Champions Trophy Finals: India vs England

On a rainy June 23, 2013, cricket fans filled Edgbaston, Birmingham, eagerly waiting for the ICC Champions Trophy final between India and England. India entered the game fresh off an 8-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the semi-finals, while England had comfortably defeated South Africa by 7 wickets. Rain was already a factor, and with persistent drizzles reducing the match to a T20, the stage was set for a tricky encounter as the damp pitch, which covered most of the day, was bound to challenge the batters.

England won the toss and opted to field, banking on the chase-friendly conditions. India’s openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, began cautiously, managing just 16 runs in the first three overs. In the fourth over, disaster struck as Stuart Broad knocked over Rohit Sharma for 9 off 14 balls, leaving India at 19/1. Virat Kohli then joined Dhawan, and the pair steadied the innings to 35/1 by the end of the powerplay. Just when it seemed they had found a rhythm, the drizzle returned, halting play for an hour.

When play resumed, India came out with renewed intent as Shikhar Dhawan lit up the eighth over with two exquisite boundaries, bringing the score to a promising 49/1. But Ravi Bopara with his clever change of pace, deceived Dhawan, who mistimed a shot and fell for a brisk 31 off 24 balls. India stood at a precarious 50/2.

As the English bowlers began to find their rhythm, pressure mounted on India as James Tredwell struck in the 12th over, sending Dinesh Karthik back to the pavilion for a painstaking 6 off 11 balls. Then came the hammer blow. Ravi Bopara returned to wreak havoc in the 13th over, dismissing both Suresh Raina (1 off 6) and MS Dhoni for a rare duck. At 66/5 by the end of the 13th over, India’s innings seemed to be crumbling.

With India in deep trouble, Ravindra Jadeja joined Virat Kohli at the crease, and the duo took on the enormous pressure of a Champions Trophy final. By the 18th over, India had inched their way to 106/5. Kohli, leading the charge, looked in fine form, but just as the finish line came into view, James Anderson struck. Kohli fell for a gritty 43 off 34 balls in the 19th over, bringing the vital partnership of 47 runs to an end. In the final over, India pushed for every possible run. Ravichandran Ashwin was run out in the chaos, but Jadeja’s determined knock kept India in the fight. His unbeaten 33 off 25 balls proved crucial, helping India post a total of 129/7.

Facing England’s formidable batting lineup, the Indian bowlers needed a dream start, and Umesh Yadav delivered as in just the second over, he bowled Alastair Cook for 2 runs, reducing England to 6/1. This early breakthrough lifted India’s spirits, but England’s Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott steadied the chase, reaching 27/1 within five overs.

However, MS Dhoni’s sharp cricketing mind turned the game around, and sensing an opportunity, he brought R. Ashwin into the attack. In a clever move, Ashwin bowled a wide delivery that tempted Trott to step out, and Dhoni’s lightning-fast stumping dismissed him for 20 off 17 balls. England was now 30/2, and India’s bowlers were back in the game.

Building on his early success, MS Dhoni gave R. Ashwin another over, and the spinner delivered again, dismissing Joe Root for 7 runs off 9 balls. England stumbled to 41/3 in 8 overs and noticing Ashwin’s grip on the game, Dhoni brought Ravindra Jadeja into the attack, and the move paid off instantly. Jadeja’s sharp turn led to Ian Bell’s stumping by Dhoni for 13 runs off 16 balls, pushing England further into trouble at 46/4 in 9 overs.

With the pressure mounting, England’s hopes now rested on Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara to anchor the chase against India’s fired-up bowlers. The pair started cautiously and once they were settled on the pitch, they started taking on the Indian bowlers. Both of them allowed the England team to reach 102/4 by the end of 17 overs and now the team needed 28 runs off just 18 balls.

When MS Dhoni Brought Ishan Sharma Back Into the Attack…

With England needing just 28 runs from 18 balls, the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy seemed to be slipping away from India. In a bold move, MS Dhoni handed the ball to Ishant Sharma for the crucial 18th over, despite his expensive figures of 27 runs in three overs. The decision baffled many, especially when Eoin Morgan smashed a six off the second ball and two wides followed, reducing the target to 20 from 16 balls.

Sensing the need for a game-changer, Dhoni suggested a slower, wide-yorker. Ishant executed it perfectly, and Morgan misjudged it, lofting a catch for 33 off 30 balls. On the next delivery, Dhoni placed a fielder at square leg and called for a bouncer. The gamble paid off again as Ravi Bopara mistimed his shot straight to the fielder, departing for 30 off 25 balls. Ishant’s redemption left England reeling at 111/6, reigniting India’s hopes.

In the last 2 overs, England now required 19 runs and had 4 wickets with them and to defend this, MS Dhon handed the ball to Jadeja who dismissed dangerous Jos Buttler for a duck and then got Tim Bresnan run out for 2 runs to leave R Ashwin with 15 runs from the last over to defend. The final over of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 had fans on the edge of their seats. England needed 15 runs to win, with James Tredwell and Stuart Broad at the crease. Ravichandran Ashwin took the ball for India.

The first delivery was a big turner and it beat Broad’s bat completely, with Dhoni nearly stumping him. The second ball, a low full toss, was swept for four, bringing the target closer. On the third ball, Broad managed just a single, rotating strike. Tredwell then added tension, hitting consecutive twos and one a cracking shot to mid-off saved by brilliant fielding, the other lobbed down the ground.

With five needed for a Super Over, Ashwin bowled the perfect final delivery, beating Tredwell with a turn as he missed the back-foot shot. As soon as Tredwell missed the shot, MS Dhoni started jumping for joy while his teammates gathered around him as India clinched the trophy, securing a thrilling five-run victory!