Mumbai, Apr 3: ICC president Sharad Pawar today heaped praise on India's World Cup winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, describing him as an excellent and levelheaded cricketer who leads the team from the front in crisis.
Dhoni cracked an unbeaten 91 under pressure to guide India to the World Cup title after 28 years at the Wankhade stadium last night and Pawar hailed the teamwork and Dhoni's crisis management skills.
“India and the Indian cricket team has done miracle. India has got an excellent captain, person like Dhoni who is a levelheaded cricketer and especially when there is a crisis, the captain has to react to come forward and he has shown how the captain should behave in the time of crisis,” Pawar said.
“Yesterday, after losing two very very important wickets, he (Dhoni) and Gautam had practically restored the innings and practically succeeded in winning World Cup .
“Sachin and Yuvraj were exceptional and their contribution in the World Cup and the team work was brilliant,” he added.
Pawar said the International Cricket Council would be extremely happy to resume the India-Pakistan bilateral ties the way the two teams conducted themselves in the high-voltage semi-final of the World Cup in Mohali on March 30.
“We would be extremely happy, in fact, it is a desire of the ICC that India-Pakistan series has to be revived. When there would be normalcy in the truest sense and confidence, all the players, not only from India but also from different countries will happily go to Pakistan,” he said.
“For the time being there is some problem. We are seriously considering and thinking to organise such series and tournament in other places.”
The ICC chief also congratulated the hosting nations-
India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh—for pulling off a successful World Cup.
“This World Cup was organised by three countries, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh, all these countries have established one thing: Indian sub-continent can organise any international event in a dignified manner,” Pawar said.
“So my greetings and congratulations to the people from the sub-continent who have supported and to their government officials, media and cannot forget the contribution of the players. The quality of the game was excellent.
“It is an absolute success from all angle, from participation by public, from quality of game, from improvement in venues and lastly in terms of revenue,” Pawar added. PTI
