MS Dhoni: The Only Captain to Win All Three ICC Trophies
MS Dhoni is the only captain in cricket history to win all three major ICC trophies — the T20 World Cup (2007), the ODI World Cup (2011), and the Champions Trophy (2013). Learn about his leadership style, the helicopter shot, and his legacy.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni stands alone in cricket history as the only captain to have won all three major ICC limited-overs trophies: the ICC World Twenty20 (2007), the ICC Cricket World Cup (2011), and the ICC Champions Trophy (2013). He achieved this across six years, each victory with a different team composition, making him the most successful captain in the history of limited-overs cricket.
T20 World Cup 2007: The Inaugural Edition
When India's senior players declined to play the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007, a young MS Dhoni was handed a second-string squad. India defeated Pakistan in the final in Johannesburg — a result with enormous geopolitical resonance given the rivalry between the two countries. Dhoni's tactical decision to give Joginder Sharma the final over ahead of the experienced Harbhajan Singh — and Sharma's dismissal of Misbah-ul-Haq's attempted scoop — remains one of the great captaincy moments.
2007 T20 World Cup Final
India vs Pakistan, Johannesburg. Final over: India needed Pakistan to score 13 from 6 balls. Dhoni gave the ball to Joginder Sharma (not Harbhajan). Misbah's scoop miscued into the hands of Sreesanth. India won by 5 runs.
World Cup 2011: The Six at Wankhede
The 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka in Mumbai is remembered for two images: MS Dhoni walking in to bat at No. 5 ahead of in-form Yuvraj Singh, and the six he hit over long-on off Nuwan Kulasekara to win the match. Dhoni scored 91 not out, the highest score in a World Cup final by a winning captain, to guide India from 114/3 to 277/4. India won by six wickets. The win ended India's 28-year wait for the World Cup trophy.
Champions Trophy 2013: Completing the Set
Dhoni completed cricket's unique treble in 2013 when India won the ICC Champions Trophy in England. The final against England at Edgbaston was a rain-affected match decided by Duckworth-Lewis. India won by five runs under the revised target, becoming the first team to win all three ICC limited-overs trophies. No captain since has matched the achievement.
The Helicopter Shot
Dhoni's most recognisable technical contribution to batting is the helicopter shot — a powerful finish where the wrists rotate through 360 degrees after contact, with the bat ending behind the shoulder like a helicopter rotor. The shot generates power from wrist rotation rather than a conventional follow-through, making it effective against yorker-length deliveries that would otherwise beat a horizontal bat. It has been copied by numerous players but none execute it with Dhoni's consistency.
Frequently asked questions
Which ICC trophies has MS Dhoni won as captain?
MS Dhoni won the ICC World Twenty20 (2007), ICC Cricket World Cup (2011), and ICC Champions Trophy (2013) — all three major ICC limited-overs trophies. He is the only captain to achieve this.
What is the helicopter shot?
The helicopter shot is a batting technique popularised by MS Dhoni where the wrists rotate 360 degrees through the shot, generating power against yorker-length balls. The bat ends behind the shoulder like a helicopter rotor.
How did India win the 2011 World Cup final?
India beat Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. MS Dhoni came in at No. 5 and scored 91 not out, finishing the match with a six over long-on off Kulasekara.