New Delhi: In a span of a fortnight, Indian Captain M S Dhoni went from being the cricketer with vested interests to a hero. Plaudits haven't stopped flowing in for the Indian team and Dhoni in particular after India managed to beat England in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday.
Dhoni's unwavering faith in his young team and his ability to instill confidence had played a huge role in India scripting this memorable win, opined former Indian cricketers. They heaped praise over Dhoni's ability to "Rise from the ashes" and the young Indian team's inherent ability to perform remarkably under pressure.
Former players spoke highly of the young team's ability to perform under pressure and said it augurs well for the future of Indian cricket despite the recent retirements of many stalwarts.
"It really has been a fantastic team because the way they have played, the way they have won every match, the way they have come out of tough situations, just speaks of a champion's mentality and that's what we have seen throughout this tournament," former skipper Sunil Gavaskar said.
"He (Dhoni) has got this ability of rising from the ashes. It is his temperament where he has treated those two imposters -- fame and failure -- in just the same manner. I think that is the reason why he is able to bounce back after a tough time," Gavaskar said.
Former India captain Gundappa Viswanath also lauded Dhoni who now holds the unique record of being the only captain to win three world titles in the sport.
"It's a tremendous win. We expected them to win, especially after the way they started the tournament.
"Full marks to M S Dhoni. Now, he has all the world titles to his name. He is undoubtedly one of the best captains we have ever produced. There has been no change in his captaincy and he has been continuing in the same way with his cool and composed approach to the game and is taking up the challenge up front," Vishwanath said.
Another former Indian captain and selector, Krishnamachari Srikkanth said that India has again proved their superiority.
"This is an excellent win. Yet again they proved that they are the best team in the world in one-dayers. In 2011 they won the World Cup and again they proved their superiority with solid performances," he said.
Gavaskar said Dhoni has managed to develop the team into a good unit.
"You expect a final to be a close thing but before that till the semi-finals they have won quite easily. It just speaks volumes about the way this team has developed into a unit. It speaks volumes of their temperament."
Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad was of the view that the Champions Trophy triumph would help in restoring the fans faith back in the game which took a beating in the aftermath of the spot-fixing scandal in IPL 6.
"I am extremely happy and proud to be an Indian. They have played all-round cricket. These small targets are always dangerous, but the boys did not wilt under pressure and showed amazing character," he said.
"It's so much important to win the trophy to win the faith of Indian cricket fans back. It's a tremendous achievement from that point of view."
Another former Test skipper Chandu Borde compared the Champions Trophy victory with the 1983 World Cup win of Kapil's Devils.
"Under pressure we performed very well and this Indian team also performed very well under pressure. In 1983 in a low-scoring match we won the World Cup. Similarly, under pressure they have performed well here. There is a similarity between 1983 and yesterday's victory," he said.
Former skipper Ajit Wadekar said that the victory has proved that India has lot of talent and the retirements of some of the greats have not affected the team.
"It was a superb win. Hats off to Dhoni, I think he is the best captain we have got. Despite not having Sachin ( Tendulkar) Rahul (Dravid), Dhoni could get all the youngsters together and showed the team spirit within this unit. This looks like a complete team and Dhoni is probably the best captain India has ever had," he said.
Gaekwad praised the selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil for their decision to blood youngsters which has paid rich dividends.
"Kudos to Sandip Patil and Co. Not many would have taken this chance especially when you're touring England. There was a lot of apprehension, we never thought this young brigade would do so well. So, whatever gamble or thinking they had put behind paid off. I would congratulate the selection committee for their brilliant thought of looking at future of Indian cricket," he said.
Former India skipper Nari Contractor said in the Champions Trophy India has performed "magnificently" in all departments of the game under Dhoni's captaincy.
"It's a fantastic victory. Full credit to the team and of course to the captain, M S Dhoni for the brilliant way he led the side from the front," the 79-year-old former opener said.
"The team has performed magnificently in every department. Our spinners did well, the fielding was superb and the new opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan was a revelation. Looking at the way the present Indian team is performing, the future appears to be good."
Legendary off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna said the Champions Trophy win has proved that India are world beaters.
"It's a victory that definitely indicates India are best side in cricketing world. Dhoni's captaincy has been brilliant," he said.
He praised India's spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for their impressive showing in English conditions.
"Jadeja is now proving to be a great asset to Indian team with his steady left arm spin. His bowling is also encouraging Ashwin. Ashwin and Jadeja have formed a very good spin combination," Prasanna said.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar also congratulated Team India on their recent success.
"Eng panicked towards the end & the team with the stronger temperament came through. Well done Dhoni ! Well done India !" he wrote on his twitter page.