There are very few experts who have something positive to say about Team India in general and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in particular after the defeat against South Africa in Nagpur. However, former Australian opener Geoff Marsh feels that the criticism of Dhoni and Co. is somehow unjustified and unfair given their good performance in recent times.


Former Australia opener and coach, Geoff Marsh

"Dhoni is a great captain. He is a leader. The Indian team has got some very good senior players around. They didn't become the World No 1 team (in Tests) by chance. This team has many experienced and mature cricketers. They can handle pressure well, otherwise they would not be one of top sides in the world," said the Western Australian.

Marsh has a few words of encouragement for Indian coach Gary Kirsten as well. In fact, Marsh says that Kirsten has the opportunity to be part u00a0of a champion side, something he didn't achieve as a player.

"I think what Gary has essentially done in the last three years is that he has moulded the best players from India into a formidable unit. What is required now is to play well to keep the momentum going. However, unlike the Australians they need to work harder on their fielding," said Marsh, who was part Australia's first World Cup winning squad in 1987.

Marsh is the only person in the history of cricket to be part of a World Cup winning side both as a player (1987) and a coach (1999).u00a0 Australia needed to win seven games on the trot to lift the trophy in 1999. And, they exactly did that. Marsh was the motivational guru and the architect of Australia's success.

As a coach of the new IPL side the Pune Warriors, Marsh is shuttling between India and Australia for last couple of months. Keeping an eye on the current World Cup, Marsh feels that it will be hard to stop the Australians, too, who have a very good side.

u00a0