Deja vu: India's win is reminiscent of Benson & Hedges WCC win in 1984-85, two years after the World Cup victory

When England were cruising to victory through Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara, India’s captain cool MS Dhoni brought on Ishant Sharma in the 18th over, with 28 still needed. This, despite the lanky medium-pacer going for 27 runs in his previous three overs. Sharma reposed the faith his skipper had on him by dismissing both the dangerous batsmen off successive deliveries and paved the way for an incredible victory.

India were clear winners of the Champions Trophy — they did not have to share it this time — elevating Dhoni to greater heights, unparalleled in cricket’s history.

Comparisons were instantly drawn with the Indian team that had twin victories in the 1983 World Cup and 1984-85 Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket. Yes, like in 1984-85 when the then world champions won another major tournament, Dhoni’s world champions lifted another silverware within two years.
Like it happened 28 years ago, India won all their matches in the tournament.

But, as members of that team 28 years ago said, comparisons should not be made. L Sivaramakrishnan, leg-spinner, said: “I don’t think it is fair to compare the great Indian victories. Each win has been different on its own. The current Indian team’s is a great achievement because it has a young bunch of people. They have won without Gambhir, Sehwag, Zaheer in the side, and Tendulkar has retired. The top order is very young and they have come out in blazing colours.”

All-rounder Madan Lal, who was part of both the incredible victories of the 1980s, said: “This team is doing quite well and deserve every bit of credit. Comparisons should not be made. If you are comparing sides, you have to also compare the oppositions.”

Pacer Chetan Sharma said that it was unfair to compare the latest glory in Indian cricket with what happened about three decades ago. “For the amount of pressure and mental tension that Dhoni and his team must have gone through when they left for England, it is not easy to do well. The best thing about the triumph is the way Dhoni has handled his team. And, the team responded to the captain brilliantly,” Sharma said.

Sivaramakrishnan said: “Hats off to the current Indian team, more so the captain. Dhoni shows a lot of faith and confidence in his players. Take the case of Ishant in the final. He went for runs but Dhoni brought him on at a crucial time and the bowler responded by picking up two wickets. He is the kind of captain you want to play under. I would love to play under a captain like Dhoni. He has achieved not any other captain has achieved — winning the World T20, 50-over World Cup, Champions Trophy, made us No. 1 in Tests and ODIs. He has a lot to offer. He is the man we must look up to and be backing till the 2015 World Cup at least.

“The team has been criticised in the last couple of years for not doing well overseas. This young lot seems to be bold and fearless cricketers. If all these cricketers stay fit, and with the experience and confidence of winning in England, we are on the right path for 2015 WC.”

Lal added: “As a captain, Dhoni has taken hard decisions, which have turned out to be good ones. That way, he has become a good leader. At the same time, his own performance is very very good.”

Fielding is one area, among other departments, that the current side has stood out. Sharma said: “This is a very good fielding side, like it was with the 1984-85 team when we had Mohammad Azharuddin, LS, Binny and Sadanand Viswanath was electric behind the stumps. But there is room for improvement. If you have good fielders, they give a lot of confidence to bowlers. Our bowlers have done a great job in England.”

LS added: “Dhoni mentioned at the presentation about the infrastructure developed by the BCCI being brilliant and that the young players can dive around. Apart from the infrastructure, the young players have shown great commitment. They want to be very good fielders. It comes from within them.”