Cricket: Five reasons why India are so good

India's cricketers arrived in New Zealand today for a richly anticipated series of tests, one-dayers and Twenty20s. Here we look at their stars

They haven't won a test series in New Zealand for 41 years, but India arrive today in formidable shape to put an end to that drought.

Their first series here ended in a 3-1 win, but since then, they have lost four of six rubbers in New Zealand and drawn two, winning only one of 14 tests in that time.

However, as well as being the financial powerhouse of the world game, they have just beaten Australia 2-0 and have a good claim - although South Africa would disagree - to being the world's leading test team.

They are third in test rankings, five places ahead of New Zealand.

They are world Twenty20 champions ahead of June's tournament in England and third in the ODI rankings, one place ahead of New Zealand.

India are full of high-calibre cricketers, who also happen to be entertainers.

Here are five key areas to watch in the touring party:

1 The captain

MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is, new teen idol Ishant Sharma notwithstanding, the Indian pinup hero.

He's the world's No 1 rated ODI batsman and a powerful personality.

Dhoni, 27, hails from a relative backwater of Indian cricket, born at Ranchi, in Bihar province near the borders with Nepal and Bangladesh in the east of the country. He made his first class debut 10 years ago and played the first of his 35 tests in December, 2005.

He took over the captaincy when Anil Kumble was injured against Australia last year and led India to a 2-0 victory.

His batting can be explosive. His test average is 36.14; that jumps to 48.28 in his 130 ODIs - and 60.68 since the start of last year.

His 183 not out against Sri Lanka at Jaipur in 2005 is the highest ODI score by a wicketkeeper.

He has led India in 46 ODIs, since taking over in 2007. He's won 28 of them, including 12 of the past 14.

Dhoni is not afraid to change things at short notice. During the whopping 320-run win in the second test at Mohali, he bumped himself up to No 3. He knew what he wanted from the innings as India pushed towards a declaration. His 68 made sure his objective was met and the Australians were blown away.

He can be hard-headed. He was unafraid to go negative in the final test against Australia when there was a chance of an Australian revival, standing behind the stumps down the leg side.

His glovework can be average and he's had his critics for that aspect of his game. But he is a charismatic figure - his was the highest price tag in the inaugural Indian Premier League auction, paid by the Chennai franchise, whom he repaid by leading to the final last year.

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• Rahul Dravid

[tusharsagar52]

@arghmania hahaha..he is gadhwali bot jaat .......

[AnuclypseMetal]

LOL the white guy at the end to group of indians

"go the black caps" haha

BALLS MUCH !

it was a fucking awesome series !

especially the Test series in Napier

[bhupibrar]

shut the fuck about bhiari or jaat : country doesnt make u great ,u make it great

[danielchandra100]

so Mister you are nuts ,

[danielchandra100]

bihari is a state name , and jaat is a caste name

[danielchandra100]

Jharkhand was a part of Bihar until recently only 7 years ago is got seperated from bihar due to political reasons.

[arghmania]

are u nuts Dhoni is from jharkhand and not bihar. he is a jaat not a bihari.

[danielchandra100]

Dhoni is a cool, honest, straight-foward Bihari. He uses practical , day-to-day problem solving approach even against the strong teams like Aus, SA, etc and this surely helps him to win matches.

Dhoni is pride of Bihar and India

[jagveerkaurchauhan]

i think the title of this video should be why indians are so good.

[vsdeadly]

kya hai yeh !!!!!!!!!!