In line with an historical truth about Indian cricket, Jagmohan Dalmiya's second innings has been better than his first. Dalmiya's tenure as the high priest of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which will now continue for another year after he was re-elected uncontested at yesterday's AGM in Kolkata, has been more refreshing and reformative than his first stint as the board's secretary. Dalmiya's original election as president last September was not exactly greeted with hosannas. He was seen as a Machiavellian figure, who cared little for convention in his quest for power. And when he defeated the suave AC Muthiah, the previous president, in his own backyard most predicted doom for Indian cricket.

But in a tempestuous year Dalmiya has, arguably, done more good for Indian cricket than any living Indian administrator. He knew that he was accepted - albeit grudgingly - as one of the most powerful men in international sport. He has been to cricket what the late Primo Nebiolo was to athletics, and Joao Havelange to football. But then, like Juan Antonio Samaranch, the former International Olympic Committee president, there were charges - unproven - against Dalmiya that will always remain on his CV. There were unsubstantiated mutterings about financial mismanagement, and an alleged TV-rights scam.

When Dalmiya got the chance to redeem himself, he began with some damage-control. If he ruled the BCCI like his personal fiefdom when he was secretary, in the second term he has shown the hands-on approach of a demanding CEO.

Dalmiya has attempted to bring about two crucial changes in Indian cricket: the nature of the pitches, and the structure of the domestic competition. He has also resurrected the Under-19 and A tours which are the building blocks for the senior team. Hiring a South African fitness trainer for the national team was also Dalmiya's idea - and that seems to have paid off too.

And yet the early scepticism and suspicion about his methods seemed to come true when it appeared that he was intent upon getting rid of John Wright as national coach, in favour of his own yes-man. But whether it was because of the players' persuasion or not, Dalmiya eventually granted Wright the freedom to do the job his way. Another indication of Dalmiya's new more-inclusive nature was reflected in the fact that he did nothing to stymie Niranjan Shah, the Board secretary, who was from the rival camp.

Unlike most Indian administrators, Dalmiya has been unafraid to rope in former players to cricket management. It only helped to dress up his image as a players' administrator. That image was further enhanced during the Denness Affair, although there might also have been a personal score to settle there with the ICC's mandarins. Dalmiya was seen then as a hard bargainer or a boardroom bully, depending on which side of the fence you were on. But in the end, it was Dalmiya - and Indian cricket - that emerged victorious in the protracted and acrimonious battle, although we are still to see the output of the referees' commission that was set up at his suggestion.

It was in the lead-up to yesterday's board elections that Dalmiya faced his biggest crisis as an administrator, the ambush-marketing sponsorship wrangle. Cornered by both ICC and the players, Dalmiya's insistence that the team sign their contracts severely dented his image as a players' man. The support he was counting on from friendly boards also failed him, one by one. Suddenly he looked lonely and beaten, as never before.

The ICC Champions Trophy, now under way, may prove to be a lull in the storm, as the issue could well bounce back to hound him. After all, it was during Dalmiya's tenure as ICC president that the contract was drafted.

It is too early to gauge the effects of the contract issue on Dalmiya's psyche. The Kolkata election has given his group undiluted power. Indian cricket can only hope to reap the benefits of a man who, in the last 12 months, has grown from being merely a financial whizz to a progressive visionary.

H Natarajan is senior editor of Wisden Asia Cricket.

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