India riding on MS Dhoni wave: Ian Chappell
Former Australian skipper Ian Chappell has credited MS Dhoni’s confidence and leadership for India’s superb showing in the ongoing World Cup. His comments follow Dhoni’s gritty 56-ball 45 against the West Indies, an innings – like countless others before – which dug India out of a hole at 78/4 through to a victory to ensure their qualification into the knockout stages.
The oldest Chappell brother put down India’s turnaround in fortunes to captain Dhoni’s positive energy.
"India at the moment are riding a wave of confidence and a lot of that confidence has stemmed from the attitude of the captain," he said.
Dhoni is a different man in World Cups: Chappell
Belying their current form, the Indian side came into the showpiece tournament on the back of dismal showings in a long Australian tour. Chappell claimed that the occassion of the World Cup has brought out the best from captain Dhoni, and subsequently the Men in Blue.
"Dhoni has rejuvenated this Indian side. What amazes me is having seen him captain in the Test matches earlier in the summer in Australia, he was very lacklustre. Suddenly you put him in the spotlight and the glare of the World Cup, he is like a different man in charge and it also seems like a different team,"
"Dhoni being so positive and much more aggressive with his captaincy has helped the bowlers. The bowling unit now is totally different from what they were in Tests vs Australia,"
Dhoni enjoying game after relinquishing Test captaincy: Chappell
Chappell also said that Dhoni seems to be enjoying his game more with the weight of Test captaincy having been lifted from his shoulders. Dhoni crossed Sourav Ganguly as the most successful Indian ODI captain overseas during the World Cup, but his side’s Test ranking has plummeted in the course of his tenure.
"Having got Test captaincy off his shoulders, Dhoni does seem to be really involved as World Cup captain. The pride of being the defending champion is showing in Dhoni.”
India next meet Ireland for a Pool B match on 10 March at Seddon Park, Hamilton.