ICC Champions Trophy 2013 - The dream XI

MS Dhoni (c & wk): When the uber cool MS Dhoni clad in the winning white jacket like James Bond lifted the Champions Trophy aloft, he became the first skipper to have led his team to all ICC trophies. He did not score a run in the final but his dexterous glove-work that effected two stumpings made the 130 target to look seemingly like 140. Stalking the English batsmen and the pitch like a predator, Dhoni, who is no stranger to masterstrokes, held his spin twins back for last two overs – the period of batting powerplay. What transpired is next is a fairy-tale worthy of being narrated to your grandchildren as Dhoni buttressed his credentials as a leader of men. MS Dhoni’s calmness and self-belief has indeed percolated down to his young, hungry side.

If the pitch tempts Dhoni to have a bowl, he has the luxury of handing over the keeping gear to Sangakkara and roll his arm over.

Ravindra Jadeja: Twirling the ball like he does his macho mustache, Ravindra Jadeja has pinned batsmen after batsmen, rightly earning the golden ball for his table topping 12 wickets at a miserly economy rate of 3.75. While some of his fizzers were directed at the stumps, a majority turned square. Dhoni’s whiz-kid was also more than handy with the bat, providing the nitro-boost at the death. His all -round display (33* and 2-24) in the final will forever remain undimmed by the passage of time, much like Monhinder Amarnath’s heroics in 1983.

Ravichandran Ashwin: Cometh the hour, cometh Ravichandran Ashwin. His first winning contribution in the final came through a razor-sharp catch at first slip that signalled the demise of Captain Cook. He pulled off two more catches off Ishant Sharma in the game-changing ante-penultimate over, an indication that Ashwin has metamorphosed into a reliable catcher inside the circle. He was in the thick of action with the ball also, delivering an impact spell (2-14). His wile, guile and flight was simply too good for the Poms.

The spin tag team of Jadeja and Ashwin had strangulated every opposition into submission with unwavering consistency right from the moment they landed in UK. One the eve of the final, Dhoni said he had the option of having ‘two No.1 spinners’ since he reckoned both Jadeja and Ashwin were equally good spinners. On Sunday night, Ashwin was the chief-marksman, spinning India to glory.

Mitchell McClenaghan: The young tyro has been the surprise package of the tournament, taking 11 wickets in only 3 matches. Deriving lateral movement and appreciable swing, McClenaghan punched above his weight to slay top batsmen. New Zealand now believe they have identified a potential bowling spearhead in McClenaghan.

James Anderson: Anderson’s probing line and length, mastery of swing and rich experience makes him a cinch in this Dream XI. There is no bowler currently playing his trade in international cricket, who can command the ball the way Anderson can. The 30-year-old captured 11 wickets at an enviable average of a shade over 13.

Ishant Sharma: Just when England were coasting in the final, Ishant Sharma produced a double strike out of nowhere to throw a spanner in England’s works. Ishant’s spell was ordinary, yet effective. In the semifinal, he walked away with the Man of the Match honours with a delightful exhibition of seam and bounce. Sri Lanka’s skilled batsmen, bereft of answers caved into Sharma’s steep bounce. With 11 wickets in 5 games, the lanky bowler has reignited that old spark.

The ones who narrowly missed the cut – Alistair Cook, Mahela Jayawardene, Joe Root, Ryan McLaren and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.