India's campaign in the Champions Trophy was nothing sort of sensational, with every single opponent being dealt with firmly, irrespective of the conditions. If the semifinal against Sri Lanka in wet Cardiff called for an extra seam option, Dhoni himself stepped up to the plate. When a sticky wicket demanded extra spin, Suresh Raina rolled his arm over to assist R Ashwin and Jadeja.
The bedrock of the campaign was a man coming back into the Indian team after a horror start to his 50-over career. The Dhawan who takes the crease today is unrecognisable from the hit-and-miss cricketer who did not seem to know when to attack or how to pace himself.
"I think Shikhar has just carried forward his confidence from the Test innings that he played," said Dhoni, referring to the blistering 187 Dhawan made on debut, the only Test innings he has played to date. "He went into the IPL with an injury. But as soon as he became fit, he was scoring freely, which I feel is very important. He's a slightly different character, but a fun loving guy. At the same time, he backs himself to play those big strokes that he plays. I think that really helped him, especially in this tournament."
Dhawan's 363 runs in the tournament came at an average of 90.75 and a strike rate of more than 100, and even when games were shortened because of rain he delivered. In the final, it was Dhawan who got the innings going, hitting a crisp 31 at the top of the order.
If Dhawan, who was a nobody in the Team India scheme of things a year ago, and has now slipped comfortably into a slot in Tests and ODIs, began the run in the final, it was Jadeja who sealed the deal, with bat and ball. Towards the end of the innings, Jadeja teed off, hitting a sweet six off James Anderson, over long off and then shovelled Tim Bresnan over long-on with a strong bottom hand.
Jadeja, the butt of all jokes not long ago, is proving his utility at every given opportunity. After his success in the home Tests against Australia was discounted as being bolstered by designer spin-friendly pitches, Jadeja has come good in England. One man has kept the faith in Jadeja all along, and it was no surprise that Dhoni allowed himself a contented smile when asked about his team-mate. "Jadeja is someone who keeps it very simple. He just looks to put the ball in the right areas and let the ball do all the talking. The good part was he contributed with the bat, which I feel is very important because he's someone who will have to bat at No. 7," said Dhoni. "Now what we have seen is you can't play with six batsmen and five bowlers. The No. 7 slot is very crucial, and he's the only one who can really do that job for us."
While Jadeja will certainly face tougher challenges in his career, perhaps later this year when India come up against a rampant South African attack and pitches that don't really help slow bowling, his successes will allow him to feel a sense of belonging in the dressing-room.
And, while Dhoni was all praise for the manner in which India's newest stars had performed he was careful not to be insensitive to those who had been replaced by the likes of Dhawan and Jadeja. "That's a difficult one, because we are talking about some really big names who have proven themselves over the years. But, it was also important that we had a look at some of these new guys and give them an opportunity," said Dhoni. "Most of them they have earned their places on the side, and it was important to get a good outing. I'm glad that all the new boys accepted the responsibility that was given to them. They took it as a challenge. We need to give credit to them. At times, in India, we just give the credit to the opposition."
At the moment, though, no one is denying the Indian team its due. They've earned the right to bask in glory, and they should make the most of it, as the next series will be upon them before they know it.
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