Having suffered from his blade in the just-concluded series, Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq described Mahendra Singh Dhoni as "murderous" and a player to be watched in the 2007 World Cup.
The Indian wicketkeeper, who blasted 219 runs in the four innings of the five-match One-Day International series, at a stupendous strike rate of 137, "is safe behind the wickets and can be compared with Adam Gilchrist, though the Australian has proved himself as the best after years in commission", Inzamam says.
On a high following his team's brilliant performances last year, Inzamam finds himself the target of criticism after losing the ODI series to India by a comprehensive 1-4 margin. Suddenly, his tactics and all he did during the series are being faulted.
But the burly Pakistani is unruffled as he always is at the crease. His team lost to a superior foe, he admits.
Is he angry?
"I control my anger. If someone drops a catch and I get angry, will that catch come back to us? It won't. Therefore it is better to be cool, because that helps in better performance," he said.
Despite the ODI series loss to India, Inzamam believes the Pakistani team has grown better in the past two years.
"When India came here [Pakistan] in 2004, our boys were young and inexperienced. They have since played a lot of cricket in other countries that has given them experience and confidence," he said.
The atmosphere in the Pakistani dressing room had definitely improved.
"When you have confidence the atmosphere in the dressing room also improves," he added.
Religion was a binding force for his team.
"The players are more religious-minded today. We offer namaz (prayers) together five times a day. This has made a big difference," said the Pakistan skipper.
Analyzing the Indian team, Inzamam said, undoubtedly, batting was India's strength as the line-up was very experienced. The bowlers are inexperienced but they are young and talented, he added.
He strongly disagrees with those who believe that Sachin Tendulkar is on the decline.
"He has shown by the way he batted that he is not on the decline. In my view, he is good enough for another four or five years," Inzamam said,
He rated Tendulkar as one of the five best batsmen in the world along with Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Brian Lara.
And where does Inzamam figure?
"Oh, Inzamam comes way behind them," he replied modestly, notwithstanding the fact that he has an average of nearly 52 after 107 Tests, and about 40 in 356 ODIs.
To a question about the drop in Irfan Pathan's speed, Inzamam replied: "If your line and length is good, you are effective. Even with speed you require line and length. He bowled very well in the one-dayers."
Here is Inzamam's take on the new talent in the Indian team:
Yuvraj Singh: He is an exciting young talent who has now learnt how to finish off games. He has the power to play big shots and is equally clever in finding the gaps, to nudge and push the balls for ones and twos. His footwork has improved tremendously ever since I saw him last year. The only time he looks uncomfortable is when he receives short-pitched deliveries, which we could not bowl as much as we would have liked because of the nature of Test pitches.
M S Dhoni: I can easily pick him as one of the players to be watched in the 2007 World Cup. He is unorthodox but very effective and at times murderous. He is difficult to bowl to because he has this ability to even hit the good balls with a jab shot. He is equally good in horizontal and vertical bat shots. He is safe behind the wickets and can be compared to Adam Gilchrist though the Australian has proved himself as the best after years in commission.
Suresh Raina: I did not get a chance to see him because the Indian top-order did not let the pressure come on to Raina and the later order batsmen. But I always believe that only the best players are picked to represent their countries and, therefore, Raina must be a good cricketer who will improve with every game. But consistency is the key and it applies to both, Raina as well as the selectors.
Irfan Pathan: He is blossoming into an all-rounder India so desperately needed to strike the right balance in one-day cricket. He was always a good bowler who bowled to a teasing line and length, but his batting has improved after Greg Chappell threw him in the deep pan and made him realise that he has the ability to graft the innings and at the same time play big shots.
R P Singh: A young and committed bowler who bowls with a lot of heart and determination. He is young and will surely gain speed and at the same time will maintain top grade fitness.
With a total of 8,172 Test and 11,251 one-day runs, and 25 and 10 centuries respectively, Inzamam is well on his way to becoming Pakistan's greatest batsman.
How would he like to be remembered when he hangs his bat?
"If people remember me as one who contributed to Pakistan's cricket, I will feel good. If people say good things, it makes me feel happy," he responds shyly.
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