Captaincy is often considered the defining element of cricket, especially in the longer formats, where bold leadership can shape the outcome of a match over five gruelling days. While many decisions align with conventional wisdom, it’s the daring, unconventional ones that distinguish great captains from the rest.
Over the years, international cricket has seen captains face moments where the easy route was tempting, but their gut instinct told them otherwise. These decisions, at the time, were viewed as gambles or even missteps. Yet, history has a way of favouring the brave.
This list isn’t about routine strategies or textbook leadership. It’s about those courageous moments — from trusting raw talent on the biggest stage to shaking up tradition — that not only changed the outcome of a match but often redefined a nation’s cricketing future. Here are the Top 5 Most Bold Captaincy Calls That Paid Off in the annals of world cricket.
5. Ben Stokes Enforces a Result on a Flat Pindi Pitch – 2022
- Captain: Ben Stokes (England)
- Match: England vs Pakistan, 1st Test, Rawalpindi, 2022
Test matches in Pakistan, particularly on pitches like Rawalpindi, are known to be bat-dominated snooze-fests. But when England returned to Pakistan for the first time in 17 years, Ben Stokes had no intention of playing it safe.
On a flat pitch, England batted at breakneck speed, scoring 657 in 101 overs. Then, instead of looking to stretch the innings or play for a draw, Stokes declared early and set Pakistan a target, leaving enough overs to bowl them out — a decision considered reckless by many.
What followed was a thrilling final day where England, through sheer persistence and creativity, snatched a 74-run win — their first Test victory in Pakistan since 2000.
4. Sourav Ganguly Backing Young Blood in the 2000s Rebuild
- Captain: Sourav Ganguly (India)
- Period: Post-2000 Match-Fixing Scandal – NatWest Series 2002 & 2003 World Cup
In the early 2000s, Indian cricket was in crisis after the match-fixing scandal. Morale was low, trust was broken, and leadership was desperately needed. In walked Sourav Ganguly — fierce, unapologetic, and determined to bring a cultural reset.
Instead of relying on fading seniors, Ganguly took a bold bet on youth. He backed players like Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, and Mohammad Kaif — many of whom were still raw and untested in big matches.
The defining moment came in the 2002 NatWest Final against England at Lord’s. Chasing 325, India was 146/5. But Yuvraj and Kaif stunned the world with a fearless partnership that led to a historic win, with Ganguly famously waving his shirt from the balcony.
3. Brendon McCullum Declares Boldly to Chase a Result – Lord’s Test, 2015
- Captain: Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)
- Match: New Zealand vs England, 1st Test, Lord’s, 2015
In the opening Test of their 2015 tour to England, New Zealand was well-placed. But instead of grinding England into the ground with safe batting and a slow approach, McCullum pushed for a result, declaring early and offering England a target they could realistically chase.
Critics questioned the move, especially on a batting-friendly surface at Lord’s. But this wasn’t just about one match — it was McCullum’s statement about how he wanted New Zealand to play: aggressive, entertaining, and fearless.
Although England eventually won that match, McCullum’s captaincy changed the DNA of New Zealand cricket. It laid the foundation for a team that reached the 2019 World Cup Final and eventually won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.
2. Imran Khan Picks an Unknown Teen – Wasim Akram’s Test Debut, 1985
- Captain: Imran Khan (Pakistan)
- Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Auckland Test, 1985
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s charismatic leader, was on a mission in the mid-1980s to create a world-class bowling unit. Despite an existing pool of senior bowlers, he chose to hand a debut to 18-year-old Wasim Akram, a left-arm pacer from Lahore who had barely made a mark in domestic cricket.
Eyebrows were raised. Wasim had raw pace but was still very much a work-in-progress. Imran not only picked him but mentored him, encouraging him to attack the stumps and trust his natural swing.
In just his second Test, against New Zealand, Akram took a phenomenal 10-wicket haul. The cricket world sat up and took notice — a star was born.
1. MS Dhoni Hands the Final Over to Joginder Sharma – 2007 T20 World Cup Final
- Captain: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India)
- Opponent: Pakistan
- Stage: ICC T20 World Cup Final, Johannesburg, 2007
In what was then a format still finding its feet, MS Dhoni was leading a young Indian side sans senior players like Tendulkar, Dravid, and Ganguly. Throughout the tournament, Dhoni showed sharp instincts and a calm head, but his most audacious decision came in the final over of the grand finale.
Pakistan needed 13 runs off the last over with the well-set Misbah-ul-Haq at the crease. Fans and pundits expected Harbhajan Singh, India’s senior-most spinner, to bowl the crucial over. But Dhoni stunned everyone by handing the ball to Joginder Sharma, a medium pacer from Haryana with minimal international experience.
The over began with a wide and a six, sending Indian fans into panic. But Joginder, under Dhoni’s quiet confidence, held his nerve. Misbah tried a scoop over fine leg and ended up giving a simple catch to Sreesanth, sealing India’s win and marking the birth of a new era.
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