Skipper Dhoni will get the team he wants

Mumbai: Mahendra Dhoni made it clear on Wednesday that he is India's one-day boss, saying the team picked for Australia had his stamp all over it. The message to the BCCI seems clear; he has earned the right now to demand the players he wants.

He has always been a man driven by his own convictions, but now the confidence seems to be oozing. So, is Dhoni's word now law for the five wise men? These words seem to suggest just that.

"I was pretty clear about the players I wanted in the side. That's what I said to the selectors as well. You can see the kind of team I got," Dhoni had said in a recent interview.

Chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar refused to comment on Dhoni's explosive statements, but the BCCI pretty much admitted that whatever captain Dhoni wants now, captain Dhoni will get.

Ratkanakar Shetty, Chief Administrative Officer, BCCI said: "It is always good, because, after all, he is going to need the team, and performance, whether good or bad, he will be taking the responsibility for that.

So ,the writing on the wall for the likes of Dravid and Ganguly now seems clear. Both have had long and illustrious one-day careers but under Dhoni's regime, a return to coloured clothes seems unlikely.

"I am not thinking about it that way (using Twenty20 as a platform for One-Dayers). I am just focussed on trying to get fit and just trying play some good cricket. Whatever opportunities will come at the Test matches ahead and the Twenty20, I will just take them as one step at a time. And I have reached a stage where I just want to enjoy it and take it as one step at a time," said Dravid.

"I am still trying to be a part of the ODI team again and I hope that it will happen," said Ganguly.

But the leader of India's team of the future has spoken and after what he and his young team has achieved in Australia, his words will ring loud and clear in the ears of India's senior players.

Less than four years in international cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has impressed many with his attitude. Clearly, he has a vision for Indian cricket and has convinced the BCCI to buy into it.

Support from his team

Dhoni also seems to have the complete backing of his teammates. Irfan Pathan said on Friday that the team follows their captain's lead without question

"He has captainced the side very well. Since the time he has become captain, like the win in the T20 World Cup or other tournaments, he has led the side very well. He has treated all the players in the team well. And I think it shows with the way he has shown faith on his team," Pathan said.