The period between 1996 to 2006 was a kind of era which saw very attacking cricket. From 1996 to 2006, It was Australia which dominated world cricket. Looking closely at Australia's team three reasons have gave them victory in the past. First, it was a their world class fielding. Second, their ability to handle pressure. Third, the kind of leadership they got due to Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting . Some other factors like Cricketing style, in which they used to take a single after every four and six and their dodging style and calculation of on field tactics gave them title of world champion.
In India the period between 1996 to 2005-06 was based on Tendulkar and techniques. A more traditional cricket was played in this era. This includes tricks like keeping mid-on and mid-off player on even after fielding restrictions are off. The reason behind this was simple as to try to take wicket as batsman will go for lofted shot. For that reason giving some extra run was OK. At the same time there was tendency to believe on traditional player who were sound in techniques.
However, MS Dhoni's entry in the Indian cricket team just revolutionized not only Indian cricket but also world cricket. More sophisticated and calculated cricket is being played in his era. This includes inclusion of fielding centered all rounders. He believed in more pressure handling players than the technically sound players. His ability to analyze the situation according to the game earned him respect of greatest ever captain in world cricket.
Inclusion of Aashish nehara in world cup semifinal even after harsh opposition, Constant belief in Sir Ravindra Jadeja, at the same time taking Cricketing abilities of Shikhar Dhaan, Suresh Rains, R Ashwin to next level , has helped Indian team a lot. His ability to remain calm at critical situation and ability to believe in his own tactics put him far over the managing capability of other captains.
Inclusion of ICC Champions trophy in his long list of achievements has put him above all the standards. When Sanjay Manjarekar asked him "what's next? " He simply smiled and answered "I am not here to prove anything to anyone, I just wanted to concentrate on my next tour."
Dhoni's media handling capability is also exceptional because many captain find it very difficult to deal with media during worse time. He has established a new culture where a breed of pressure handlers are emerging. A culture of fielders, never die attitude oriented batsmen, and calculated risk taking bowlers has emerged in India which is certainly taking India's Cricketing future ahead.
