MS Dhoni’s words before the 2013 Champions Trophy final against England—“God is not coming to save us, if you want to win the trophy, we have to fight it out”—perfectly encapsulated his leadership style: pragmatic, fearless, and focused on taking responsibility. This final was not just another match; it was a test of resilience, adaptability, and India’s ability to handle high-pressure situations. Originally scheduled as a 50-over contest, persistent rain forced the game to be shortened to just 20 overs per side, essentially turning the prestigious ICC final into a high-stakes T20 clash. The shift in format meant both teams had to rethink their strategies, but India, under Dhoni’s astute captaincy, was up for the challenge.
India had been dominant throughout the tournament, with Dhoni’s tactical decisions proving instrumental. One of his masterstrokes was promoting Rohit Sharma as an opener alongside Shikhar Dhawan, a move that paid rich dividends. The duo had been in sublime form, giving India explosive starts in earlier games. However, the final presented a different challenge altogether. England, playing in home conditions and buoyed by a strong pace attack, won the toss and opted to bowl first, looking to exploit the overcast conditions.
India’s innings got off to a rocky start when Stuart Broad cleaned up Rohit Sharma for just 9 runs. Though Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli attempted to steady the innings, the departure of Dhawan at 50 triggered a major collapse. Within the space of two overs, India lost Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, and even captain Dhoni, finding themselves in deep trouble at 66 for 5 in 13 overs. The middle-order failure put immense pressure on the remaining batsmen, leaving the responsibility on Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja to salvage the innings.
Despite the setbacks, Kohli and Jadeja displayed remarkable composure, stitching together a vital 47-run partnership that provided some much-needed momentum. Kohli played a crucial knock of 43 off 34 balls, anchoring the innings with his controlled aggression, while Jadeja, known for his finishing abilities, remained unbeaten on 33 off 25 deliveries. England’s bowlers, particularly Ravi Bopara, had done a commendable job, with Bopara picking up three wickets for just 20 runs in his four overs. India managed to reach 129/7 in their allotted 20 overs—a competitive total but one that still seemed below par given England’s strong batting lineup.
However, Dhoni had other plans. While many captains would have gone on the defensive, Dhoni decided to approach the game like a traditional 50-over contest. He set attacking fields, deploying a slip, gully, and even a silly point for his spinners, a move rarely seen in a T20-like setting. His tactical nous was on full display, and his belief in his bowlers was unwavering.
England’s chase got off to a poor start, with Alastair Cook falling early for just 2 runs. Jonathan Trott provided some stability, playing a few fluent strokes, but India’s spinners—Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja—soon turned the game in India’s favor. They applied relentless pressure, removing Trott, Joe Root, and Ian Bell in quick succession, reducing England to 46 for 4. Just when India seemed to be tightening their grip, Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara counterattacked, targeting Ishant Sharma, who had struggled earlier. He had conceded 27 runs in three overs, with Morgan smashing a six in his last over to bring the equation down to 48 off 30 balls.
With just 28 needed off the final three overs, Dhoni made a bold and unexpected decision—he threw the ball to Ishant Sharma, despite the pacer having an expensive outing till then. The move raised eyebrows, but it turned out to be a masterstroke. Ishant started the over nervously but then came the turning point. Off his third delivery, he bowled a well-disguised slower ball that completely deceived Morgan, who mistimed his shot straight into the hands of the fielder. The very next ball, Ishant struck again, dismissing Bopara, who edged one to the keeper. In a matter of two deliveries, England’s chances had taken a massive hit.
With the required rate climbing, Jadeja bowled a sensational 19th over, picking up two more wickets and leaving England in complete disarray. The responsibility of defending 15 runs in the final over was handed to Ashwin, who, despite conceding a boundary early, held his nerve to ensure England fell short. The final delivery saw James Tredwell miss the ball completely, and though Dhoni also fumbled behind the stumps, it didn’t matter—the celebrations had already begun.
The usually composed Dhoni, known for his calm demeanor, couldn’t hold back his emotions this time. He jumped in the air, fists clenched, roaring in triumph. This victory meant more than just another ICC trophy—it cemented Dhoni’s legacy as one of the greatest captains in cricket history. He became the first Indian captain to win all three major ICC white-ball trophies—the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and now the 2013 Champions Trophy.
True to his selfless nature, Dhoni let Shikhar Dhawan, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, lift the trophy, while Virat Kohli led the celebrations with his famous Gangnam Style dance. The win reaffirmed India’s dominance in white-ball cricket, and two years after their historic 2011 World Cup victory, they once again stood tall as champions. Dhoni’s words before the match proved prophetic—India had fought hard and emerged victorious, not by divine intervention, but by sheer grit and determination.
