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Watch: Tendulkar follows Dhoni’s advice to outfox Afridi

by Wisden Staff June 1, 2021 - 4:37pm 2 minute read

MS Dhoni was one of the shrewdest captains, who helped Team India reach new heights as he outwitted several opponents with his street-smart thinking. One such incident was witnessed during the first ODI game in Guwahati between India and Pakistan way back in 2007.

The visitors had crawled to 105-3 in the 30th over of the innings after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Pakistan were in desperate need of some quick runs, following which Shahid Afridi walked out to bat at number five. He added 42 runs in six overs alongside Mohammad Yousuf and looked in fine nick.

Dhoni handed the ball to Sachin Tendulkar, who bowled leg-spin from round the wicket to Afridi. While he conceded only two runs off his first over, the batsman had shown signs of attacking the bowler. In his next over – the 39th of the innings – Tendulkar, bowling on the leg-stump, conceded seven runs off the first three balls as Afridi came down the wicket and took him on.

Before the fifth ball of the over, Dhoni was seen gesturing Tendulkar to bowl close to the wide line, extending his arm to one side from behind the stumps as Tendulkar approached the bowling crease. The bowler did exactly as he was told, and reaped the rewards immediately. Afridi, who was well down the pitch, was stumped as Dhoni quickly whipped off the bails.

Afridi was dismissed for a quick 32-ball 31, with Pakistan scoring only 239-7 in their quota of 50 overs. Team India went on to win the game with five wickets and three overs to spare.