Former Indian seamer reveals about MS Dhoni’s ‘miscalculation’ in 2007 20-20 World Cup final

Published on February 4, 2023

MS Dhoni is regarded by many as one of the greatest cricket captains in history. The former India captain led a fairly inexperienced squad to victory at the first 20-20 World Cup in his very first job as captain. Later, he led India to victory at the 2011 ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy, which was held two years later.

RP Singh, a former India pacer who was a member of the winning team and competed in the 20-20 World Cup final against Pakistan back in 2017, made a significant disclosure concerning Dhoni’s “miscalculation” in the match years after India’s victory.

Given that Misbah-ul-Haq was playing a risky shot for Pakistan, the Indian skipper made the unusual decision to hand Joginder Sharma the last over of the game. Joginder, though, had upheld the captain’s confidence and earned India a five-run victory.

Harbhajan and Joginder were the two options, and according to RP Singh, who took three wickets in the match, the decision was made incorrectly because of the former’s high price tag.

Harbhajan would’ve bowled the final over: Harbhajan Singh

“Dhoni used to believe that the 20th over isn’t as important as the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Misbah was playing really good that time. Harbhajan usually used to bowl the 17th over and more often than not, get us a breakthrough there. But Misbah was in some different touch that day. So there, it was a miscalculation,” said the former Indian pacer during his commentary in the SA20 2023.

“Harbhajan couldn’t complete his overs. I had to bowl the 19th over, Sreesanth had to bowl before me. We had two options, either go with Harbhajan or Joginder. Misbah was batting good and if it was a left-handed batter, then Harbhajan would’ve bowled the final over. Since it was a right-handed batter, Joginder was given the ball,” RP Singh added.

In Johannesburg, after Dhoni made the decision to bat, India amassed a good total of 157/5 in 20 overs, with Gautam Gambhir scoring a valiant 75. Misbah-ul-Haq’s (43 off 38 balls) efforts were in vain despite Pakistan needing six runs to win off four deliveries because he chose to try a scoop shot. Sreesanth took a straightforward catch from his position at the short-fine leg to give India the win.