Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Calcutta: Coach Greg Chappell believes his improvement, over the past year in particular, has been phenomenal (“one of the most improved anywhere”).

Former captain Sourav Ganguly feels he’s the difference between the team he led in 2003 and the one picked for this World Cup.

We’re talking of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is on the fast track to becoming an icon.

“It’s a boost that Chappell and Sourav have such a high opinion… It’s not putting me under more pressure though,” the down-to-earth Dhoni told The Telegraph.

Incidentally, he’s beginning the World Cup as the No. 2-ranked batsman (behind Australia’s Michael Hussey) in ODIs.

“It’s nice, but nothing more as I’m not driven by rankings… More than rankings and awards, what’s important is consistency,” Dhoni said.

For a while, of course, he’d been the No. 1 last year. The pinnacle was reached within 16 months of his debut, in Bangladesh.

Dhoni didn’t have a great tour of the West Indies in the summer of 2006, but hopes to put to good use the lessons learnt on that visit.

“That trip was part of my education… Obviously, I’m looking to do better… Looking to make a bigger contribution…”

‘Contribution’ is a key word for Dhoni and nothing matters more than helping Team India make a big splash.

DHONI’s CUP GOALS

(besides the obvious one)

Staying fit

Achieving a strike-rate of at least 100

Making the most of opportunities

Enhancing his team man-reputation

Enjoying the tournament...