R Ashwin Still In Awe Of MS Dhoni's Tactical Brilliance, Recalls Genius Move In Champions Trophy 2013 Final

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recalled MS Dhoni's on-field tactical brilliance during the 2013 Champions Trophy final against England and said he was left surprised with the latter's advice to get rid of Jonathan Trott. India faced host nation England in the final at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where rain interruptions curtailed the encounter to a 20-over affair. Dhoni's captaincy shone as India defended their total of 129 runs. Recalling the former captain's game awareness and strategic thinking, Ashwin narrated the story behind dismissing Trott during a special episode of JioHotstar's Unbeaten: Dhoni's Dynamites.

"I still remember Mahi bhai came up to me and said, ‘Don't bowl over the stumps to Trott; bowl from around the wicket. He'll try to play on the leg side, and if the ball spins, he'll get stumped.' I still can't believe how he predicted that," Ashwin said.

India's unbeaten streak throughout the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2013 and victory against England in the final under MS Dhoni added another unforgettable chapter to its rich cricketing legacy.

Former India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, a key member of the squad, reflected on the team's resilience and Dhoni's ability to make crucial decisions under pressure.

"This was our chance to show what cricket meant to Team India. We were resilient, we fought back, and we had the mindset to never give up. England were cruising; they were almost there and could have easily crossed the line. But Dhoni made some brilliant tactical moves, and the bowlers backed him up," Karthik said.

Former India batter and commentator Akash Chopra emphasised that the 2013 Champions Trophy was a testament to Dhoni's leadership. "This was his tournament through and through. It had