Wish MS Dhoni was in my 2003 World Cup side: Sourav Ganguly in his autobiography

New Delhi, March 1: Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly is widely hailed as the man who ushered in the new era in Indian cricket. It was under Ganguly's leadership when India improved their overseas performances and started winning major tournaments.

Ganguly showed belief and confidence in his players and inspired them to play aggressively. Team India won several major tournaments and bilateral series and it was under his captaincy when Men In Blue reached the finals of 2003 World Cup but lost to Australia.

Ganguly regrets waving jersey at Lord's balcony

But it was his aggressive brand of captaincy that infused a new life in the young Indian side that went on to lift the World Cup in 2011 under the leadership of another inspirational captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

MS Dhoni made his international debut under Ganguly, in 2005, and slammed his maiden ODI ton after the skipper promoted him at No. 3. Coincidently, Dhoni's highest ODI total till date is 183, which is also happens to be Ganguly's highest score.

Ganguly, in his autobiography 'A Century Is Not Enough', has written that he wishes he had a finisher like Dhoni in his 2003 World Cup team.

"I had over the years constantly looked out for players who remain steady under pressure and possess the capability to change the course of the match. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who came to my notice in 2004, was a natural progression of this thought. I was impressed with MS Dhoni from day one," Ganguly wrote in his autobiography.

The former India skipper added further,"I wish I'd Dhoni in my 2003 World Cup team. I was told that when we were playing the 2003 World Cup final he was still a ticket collector with Indian Railways. Unbelievable!"

"Today I am happy that my assessment was proven right. It is amazing how he broke through the ranks to become what he is today," added Ganguly.

Ironically, it was Dhoni who bettered the records created by Ganguly, both in Tests as well as in the ODIs. The Ranchi-lad surpassed Ganguly to become most successful Indian skipper across all formats and took India to greater heights.

It was under Dhoni's leadership that Ganguly played his last international game, a Test match against Australia in November 2008. To honour his former skipper Dhoni had asked Ganguly to lead the side on the final day of the 4th Test match.

By the time the southpaw retired, Dhoni had already established himself as one of the best match-finishers for his side.