RP Singh recalls MS Dhoni's advice during T20 World Cup 2007 final against Pakistan

RP Singh revealed what makes Mahendra Singh Dhoni a special player is his perfect understanding of game as well as situation awareness. Rudra Pratap Singh was a key member of Team India's squad that had won inaugural edition of ICC World T20 2007 under MS Dhoni's captaincy.

'Tremendous reading of batsmen': RP Singh

While speaking to Cricket.com, RP Singh recalled T20 World Cup final between arch-rivals India and Pakistan and went on to say MS had told him in advance that Pakistan's n wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal would be bowled as his feet were t moving. He n asked Singh to forget about or things and just concentrate on bowling line and length and that is when veteran left-arm seamer realised that 'Captain Cool' had got a tremendous reading of batsmen because he would have bowled differently to Akmal.

cricketer-turned-commentator/analyst n added that he had asked for a different fielding set-up but Mahi convinced him in such a way that it was easier to follow.

Dhoni & Co. rewrite history

Team India led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni comprised of a young unit after senior players Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid had refused to play shortest format. Men In Blue had defied all odds and made it to finals by beating strong teams like England, hosts South Africa and Ricky Ponting's mighty Australia and reby setting up a dream finale against Pakistan at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

India had earlier got better of Pakistan in group sts with a win in bowl-outs after a nerve-wracking tie. In summit clash, Men In Blue had posted 157/5 in ir 20 overs and had reduced ir arch-rivals to 77/6. However, Misbah-ul Haq once again came to rescue just like he had during league match and took Indian bowlers to cleaners as match went right down to wire.

With 13 needed off final over, MS Dhoni took a big risk of giving ball to an inexperienced Joginder Sharma over Harbhajan Singh. On very first delivery, Sharma had bowled a wide ball under pressure and t only did he have to bowl it once again but it had also reduced Men In Green's deficit. He mand a dot ball in following delivery. 

On next delivery, he was dispatched into stands by Misbah after having bowled a full toss outside off stump. India were snatching defeat from jaws of victory as 6 runs were needed from 4 balls. n came moment which would go on to become immortal. medium-pacer n bowled a full-length delivery and Misbah could have once again taken him to cleaners but surprisingly, he played that infamous scoop-shot by going across stumps and at one point, it seemed as if ball would go past boundary ropes after one bounce.

However, S Sreesanth covered a lot of distance and took an outstanding catch under pressure at fine-leg as Indian players and crowd erupted in joy. India went on to win inaugural edition of ICC World T20 by five runs. 

''In air Sreesanth takes it. India win. Unbelievable scenes here at bull-ring. Geoff Lawson can't believe it, Pakistan players stunned and India would believe y have got out of a corner. Misbah-ul-Haq does t want to leave field but what a match for a 20-20 final! India world champions'', said Ravi Shastri on air. 

READ: Robin Uthappa Recalls India's Historic 2007 World T20 Triumph, Lauds Mahendra Singh Dhoni