Instead, they all now appear a pack of aces under the brutish English sun. Experts agree that at least seven each specialist batsmen and bowlers make up for an unbeatable combination in Twenty20 cricket which didn't appear the case with Dhoni's men when they left home to defend their Twenty20 crown. The team was certain to sweat on their fifth, if not the fourth bowler, as part-time spinners were given no chance to succeed on fresh English pitches.

However, the heat of last two months with the month of May the hottest in last decade have ensured that the wickets would be dry and scruffy and suitable for slow bowlers.

The Suresh Rainas and Yuvrajs; Sehwags and Rohit Sharmas can all lick their fingers in anticipation while opposition can only chew their nails in frustration as precise planning against this squad of match-winners is almost impossible. India can look forward to have a team where everyone, barring skipper Dhoni, can be a steady influence in both bowling and batting.

Almost everyone, Gautam Gambhir included, can turn their arms over while the batting extends to Harbhajan Singh at number nine. Dhoni in a matter of four years has soared from obscurity to being game's possibly hottest star-captain. Destiny, it would appear, once again is siding with the unflappable

cricketer. Lady luck bestowed the captaincy on him when Rahul Dravid refused to lead the side to 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and later Sachin Tendulkar's refusal gave the Ranchi man one-day; and subsequently Test captaincy.