Dhoni eyes hat trick of victories

Just over two years after MS Dhoni guided India to their World Cup triumph in Mumbai, the skipper has inspired a largely different group of players to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy.

As India prepare to take on England in the summit clash here at Edgbaston on what promises to be a muggy (if not rainy) Sunday, Dhoni has the opportunity to create a unique record. If India finish on top, the Jharkhandi will have become the only captain to have won all the major tournaments conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), having already clinched the World T20 title (2007 in South Africa) and the ODI World Cup (2011 in India).

Irrespective of the outcome of the final, however, India have every reason to walk with their heads held high. Having arrived here with controversies raging at home, not many would have expected this young Indian outfit to make the final, and with such authority. Though these haven’t exactly been typical English conditions, they are far removed from sub-continental ones. Coming here with scars of spot-fixing and betting scandals in the IPL still fresh in their minds, Indians may have far exceeded their own expectations.

Barring Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and R Ashwin, none of the players in the present squad featured in the team that won the World Cup at home, but the flair and freedom they have played with has belied their lack of experience.

Since they have set feet on England’s soil, they have worn a cloak of invincibility, and with some degree of comfort. They have pulled off six consecutive wins in the tournament, including two in the warm-up matches, and while they didn’t get a chance to meet New Zealand, England is the only side in the tournament now who they have to defeat.