India Believe in MS Dhoni; Miracles Happen When Teams Believe in Captains, Chappell tells NDTV

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has often taken flak over his defensive approach as a Test captain, but his ODI leadership continues to impress even his staunchest detractors. Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has been one of Dhoni's biggest critics in the longest format of the game but he heaped praises on the Indian skipper after his measured, unbeaten 85 helped the world champions save the blushes against Zimbabwe in their last group encounter in the World Cup. (Raina's Ton Under Pressure Saves India)

Chasing 288 for victory, India were in trouble at 92/4 before Dhoni joined forces with Suresh Raina (110 not out) to give the sub-continental giants a clean sheet in the league phase. Raina had also come under the scanner over his indifferent form but he had Dhoni's relentless backing. On Saturday, when the big guns failed, these two men stood up to be counted.

Not only does Dhoni believe in his players, the team also believes in Dhoni. The players know when the chips are down and the stakes are high, Dhoni will be around. That, thought Chappell, was the recipe for a miracle. (Dhoni Hits Perfect Ten)

"India look like a transformed team from the tri-series and it is all down to Dhoni. He has looked like a different person, a transformed person from the captain who led India in the tri-series and he has carried the team with him. Dhoni has done it to so many times now (leading successful chases) and India believe in him. When the team believes in the captain, miracles happen," Chappell tells NDTV.

India are the only side in this World Cup to have bowled out their opponents all six times and Chappell felt it was a result of Dhoni's astute captaincy that allowed the bowlers to think wickets.

"India continue to take wickets. Teams that are brave in the middle overs will be better placed going forward and India have done that. It has to be because of Dhoni's captaincy".

Dhoni can be assured of a place among the greatest captains in the history of the game. He now has 10 successive World Cup match wins, second only to Ricky Ponting's 24 achieved over three editions on the back of one of the greatest Australian teams ever.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar put down Raina's return to form to Dhoni's presence at the other end. Gavaskar said Dhoni had the ability to make his partner stronger and that augered well for Raina, who was in desperate need for runs.

"When Raina bats with Dhoni, he is a different animal," said the former Indian skipper.

If India beat Bangladesh in the quarter-finals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 19 and continue to progress further, Dhoni's legend will continue to grow. Already, certain greats of the game believe his aura is greater than Sachin Tendulkar's.

That is a heavy accolade to carry on those 33-year-old shoulders.