The day began with Sri Lanka needing another 59 runs to avoid an innings defeat on the last day of the test, with 4 wickets in hand. Sangakkara was on an unbeaten century, and had raised some fleeting hopes of a Lankan fightback.
But before this lazy Indian had dragged himself out of his bed and switched on the TV, Sanga had departed, and by the time I was through with my morning tea, it was all over.
With Murali Vijay barely missing a century, Sehwag's 293, Dhoni's unbeaten century, and strong contributions from Dravid and Sachin, India's 700 plus score was always going to be more than enough on a wicket that was expected to turn on the fourth day. Interestingly though, in the Lankan second innings, it was Zaheer with a 5 wicket haul who came to the party, using his bouncers sparingly but very effectively, and proving he had not lost any of his venom after his brief stint out of the team for fitness reasons.
With a batting lineup that can boast of someone of Dhoni's calibre coming in at no 7, deadly pace bowlers like Zaheer, Sreesanth, Irfan and Ishant, and Harbhajan and Pragyan Ozha keeping alive the spin tradition, this is truly a world No 1 side. A lot of credit also goes to Gary Kirsten, who took over the reins from a terrible John Buchanan 18 months back, and promised to get us here, through a focussed "process". Robin and Venkatesh Prasad as the fielding and bowling coach, also did a great job.
The process really began way back in Aug 2008, which was the last time this team has lost a Test match. Before that, it was a close affair in Australia where India would have levelled the series 1-1, if not for Steve Bucknor.
India had started the upward trend under Saurav, but then John and Dravid plunged the team into chaos, ending with Dravid's abrupt resignation. After Kumble took over briefly, things looked better again, and the mantle finally came to Gary and Mahi. From then on, it's been forward all the way.
In the last 2 years, India has beaten Pakistan (1-0), Australia (2-0), England (1-0), New Zealand (1-0) and Sri Lanka (2-0), held South Africa (1-1) and narrowly lost to Australia in Australia (0-2). We only lost to Australia (as I said, courtesy Steve Bucknor) and Sri Lanka in Lanka (1-2) during this period.
Mahi has been a worthy captain, winning 7 of his first 10 tests and losing none.
Congrats, Mahi, Gary and this wonderful Indian team. You have made us very proud, yet again!
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