Showering praise on Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images], Indian coach Greg Chappell [Images] said on Monday that the Jharkhand wicketkeeper has the potential to become a great leader.

Addressing a function organised by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association in Jamshedpur to felicitate Dhoni for being the first cricketer from Jharkhand to play for the country, Chappell said Dhoni has a positive attitude and plays the game whole-heartedly.

"Dhoni is a good hitter of the ball and has the potential to become a great leader. He has no false modesty and judges the situation to ably tackle it," Chappell said.

The 24-year old from Ranchi is a good runner between the wickets and has leadership quality on and off the field, the Indian coach said.

Expressing full confidence on the swashbuckling wicketkeeper batsman, Chappell said Dhoni would continue to improve his performance and will earn more accolades for his country and state.

The Australian also added that he is honoured to be coach of the Indian team.

Virender Sehwag [Images], Harbhajan Singh [Images], Suresh Raina, R P Singh and Irfan Pathan [Images] were also present at the function.

Dhoni thanked his team mates in the Indian team for reposing faith in him during the past 16 months and the opportunities that helped him to reach to this position.

"I will try my best to perform to earn a good name for the country and the state," he said.

Dr J J Irani, director of Tata Sons and former vice-president of BCCI, presented Dhoni with a silver bat on the occasion for being the first cricketer from Jharkhand to play in the Indian team. The bat is inscribed with famous quote of Roman Emperor Julius Ceasar -- Vini, Vidi, Vici -- (I came, I saw, I conquered).