Mahendra Singh Dhoni, A Modern Day Great?

A T20 World Cup title, an ODI World Cup crown, the most successful Indian Test Captain, the most successful Indian ODI captain abroad. Does MS Dhoni have anything left to prove? If your answer is no, then you are not thinking like a sports fan, because for any sportsperson, the task of proving themselves on the field doesn't stop till they hang up their boots. That's just the nature of the beast. (Full World Cup Coverage | Points Table)

Since December 2014, India have lost 2 out of 4 Tests and 3 out of 4 ODIs, with one washout in Australia. In the 2015 World Cup, India have 4 wins from 4 matches so far. Considering the next two matches are versus Ireland and Zimbabwe, chances are the Men in Blue will finish with wins in all 6 of their league matches and it's the captain who has played a big role in ensuring a turnaround in the team's fortunes in a very short span of time. But here's a tricky question, is Dhoni the best ODI captain in the world right now, not by virtue of just the wins, but by how inspirational he can be?

NDTV World Cup expert and former Australian captain Ian Chappell says, "I don't know about the best but he's very good. Having seen him captain in the Test matches earlier in the summer in Australia, where he was very lacklustre, but suddenly you put him in the spotlight and the glare of the World Cup and he is like a different man in charge and India have been like a different team." (Dhoni Says Handling Pressure is Key)

VVS Laxman told NDTV, "Dhoni has played a very important role because right from the first game versus Pakistan you saw how aggressive he was, how positive he was and I am sure he must have passed that message on to each and every team member. He emphasised the fact that this is the World Cup, it's a different tournament and we are the defending champions."

Dhoni's captaincy over the years has received both bouquets and brickbats. Recently in the Test series versus Australia, his leadership was questioned as was his decision to retire from Tests with one full match left to play and India struggling to register a win. However, with the weight of Tests off his shoulders, Dhoni can focus on the shorter formats, in which he has always been more successful. In fact the win versus the West Indies on Friday was the team's 59th overseas ODI win under Dhoni's captaincy, making him the most successful Indian ODI captain abroad. No wonder then, Chappell has said, "He seems to enjoy captaincy in One Day cricket much more than in Test cricket and he has certainly rejuvenated this Indian side."

Rejuvenated is what the Indian bowling looks like at the moment. The likes of Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma and R Ashwin are suddenly looking like different bowlers, troubling some of the best batsmen in the world in foreign conditions. The question, can Indian bowlers come good in places like Australia and New Zealand, at least in ODIs has been answered and according to Chappell, Dhoni should be given credit for that turnaround as well.

Chappell told NDTV, " I think by him being so positive and suddenly much more aggressive with his captaincy, that's helped the bowlers as well. The bowling unit now is completely different than what it was in the Tests versus Australia." Is Dhoni then destined to do what no Indian captain has done before? Can he inspire a team of charged-up youngsters to the biggest prize in world cricket?

Let's not forget that we are talking about a man who wears different hats. Dhoni is not just the captain, but a key batsman and the wicket-keeper. On Friday, when he walked out to bat vs the West Indies, India were down to 78/4. The team needed another Dhoni special and he delivered with an unbeaten 45. A knock that took India across the finish line under pressure and into the quarterfinals. However while he is nicknamed 'captain cool', Dhoni feels the pressure too. The Indian captain told the media after the match, " A lot of people say I don't feel any pressure. The truth is, I feel as much pressure as anybody else. The difference is that since I have been in that situation many times before, I know how to take the team out of a tough situation." Incidentally, he has only one 50 plus score in his last 10 ODI innings, but no one can question his abilities as a finisher, regardless of when he last had a big score.

Dhoni, in his over 10 year career has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He has been applauded and criticised. He has gone from a quiet small town boy with long locks to a grey haired veteran who conquered the world. He has gone from Mahi to MSD. He has guided his team out of the depths of despair and has led them to the top of the world. If greatness is measured by achievements alone, perhaps Dhoni has already become a modern day great.