Team India best cohesive unit under great coach and fine captain

Chennai, May 1 (UNI) Describing Team India as the best cohesive unit, former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu today said gone are the days when the team depended on one individual to win matches.

The cricketer-turned-politician, who was here to canvass votes for the BJP candidates, said the team was no more relying on any particular individual.

''Those days when Sachin or Saurav got out, people used to switch off their TV sets. But things have changed now''.

The flexbility adopted by the team management under coach Greg Chappell and skipper Rahul Dravid had given the team more options.

They have put three to four plans in motion by shuffling the batting order, he said.

There was no complacency in the team, which was also not relying on a particular individual. ''If Sachin or Dravid is out, you have Yuvraj and Raina to take over. It's an exuberant and enthusiastic bunch and augur well for the World Cup next year'', he added.

Sidhu said over the last couple of years, ten new heroes have emerged. And for the first time the team has two fine all rounders in left arm seamer Irfan pathan and wicket-keeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Pathan had proved his credentials by batting at the top of the order and emerged as the main strike bowler for India, he said.

Describing Dhoni as a 'Dhamaka', Sidhu said with this strokeful batting he instills fear in the minds of the opposition.

''Full marks to Chappell and Dravid, who have proved that fine leaders can make a good outfit''.

Sidhu described Chappell as a great coach and Dravid as a fine leader and said the respect they command were immense.

''The difference between Rahul Dravid and Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting when compared to others is the respect they command because of their sheer hardwork'', he added.

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