Rahul Dravid on Tuesday lauded Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men for their “brilliant” title triumph in the Champions Trophy, saying “right balance” and “fantastic” fielding helped them claim the prestigious title in England.
“They were the best team. They didn’t panic in crucial situations, they won the critical moments towards the end of both the innings. India’s batting, to get them to 130, the partnership between Kohli and Jadeja and also bowling towards the end. So India were the better team on the day as well,” Dravid said.
“I think the great thing that India had in this squad is balance. The conditions in England surprised us, I mean look at how much the ball spun, so because of the nature of wicket, it helped India play seven batsman with (Ravindra) Jadeja at number seven and actually five frontline bowlers. In the past, India didn’t have that luxury...They played brilliantly,” he added.
The 40-year-old batsman also lauded India’s fielding during the tournament. “India were brilliant on the field. It is not often that you can say that India were the best fielding side in the competition. They were fantastic. You can see the energy on the field. They played well.”
“Credit to the selectors. Sometimes we tend to forget them in times like this. But I think they have done a very good job. lots of people felt the squad was light on experience but they have been proved right. They went with energy, they went for young legs and for people who had lot to prove,” he added.
The Champions Trophy triumph will give a big boost to India for the next World Cup in 2015 but Dravid didn’t want to look too far ahead.
“It is dangerous to look too far ahead. I mean, who would have thought that after India won the World Cup in 2011, two years down the line, we will play with only three of those players who were in that squad. So it is like a complete new team. So it is dangerous to look that far ahead,” Dravid said.
‘MSD looks less fussy’
Meanwhile, former skipper Sourav Ganguly has said that Dhoni has done “wonders to Indian cricket” and is poised to lead the country in the 2015 World Cup.
“Dhoni has been an outstanding captain. His record as captain is terrific. He still has a lot of cricket left in him and he has done wonders to Indian cricket,” Ganguly said.
“Dhoni backs players as well. People like (Suresh) Raina, (Ravindra) Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma have developed under him as players and has some terrific qualities as a leader,” he was quoted as saying by NDTVSports.Com.
Asked about the next 50-over World Cup, Ganguly, under whom India became a force to reckon with in international cricket by winning Test matches abroad, said, “I am sure he has got the 2015 WC at the back of his mind. He is young, a terrific ODI player and there is no reason why he won’t be captain.”
While Dhoni has often said that the mantra to his success has been to keep things simple, Ganguly has a different take.
“Well, you try to keep things simple...You try! Dhoni looks okay from outside. There must be a lot of pressure from inside. Situations are something you react to and he looks less fussy. But whatever it is, he has done a marvellous job for India,” Ganguly said.