On a day when South Africa learned they would go above Australia atop the world rankings if they win Down Under, India showed their own claims to world dominance.

South Africa’s form over the previous 14 months earns them the right to challenge for topping the Test match world, and India should at least be considered their equals. The manner of their six-wicket victory over England in Chennai was akin to the ruthlessness and aggression that marked Australia’s play over the last decade and a half.  

Retirements of all-time greats have weakened Australia and while South Africa and India have also had to cope with losing players like Shaun Pollock and Anil Kumble respectively because of ‘old age’, they seem to have better strength in depth to seal a sea-change in the world order.

But it is India that I want to discuss here. Their steady rise and improvement into a team that will compete anywhere in the world – and not just bully teams on their own soil as was always their weakness – was started under Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy. He gave the team teeth and the confidence to bite in the heat of battle. Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble’s reigns consolidated that progress, as victory in England showed under Dravid. But current skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is now adding more qualities that are making a giant of a once timid and fearful cricket team.  

Dhoni has added fearlessness, self-belief of the highest order and enjoyment in what they do. Their celebrations after recent wins over Australia and England show a new cocky India, earned from having sheer confidence in each other’s ability to get the job done.

While Australia’s path and fall from grace will in no way emulate West Indies’ after their world dominance ended in 1995, India’s journey towards the top appears far from over.

In Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, they now have two opening batsmen settled together in all three versions and who can play for at least another five years; Sachin Tendulkar proved in Chennai he still has more victories to enjoy; VVS Laxman is the form man who thrives in a challenge; Yuvraj Singh has filled in perfectly for the outgoing Ganguly and provides merciless punch at number six but also possesses the craft to battle as his hundred in Lahore showed in 2004; Amit Mishra had a tough job following Kumble but is so far performing admirably; the new ball attack of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma seems well suited to all conditions.

The only question mark is Rahul Dravid, as his form has been worrisome for a long time. How unfortunate it would be for the player, though, if he was dropped or felt under pressure to bow out after all the loyal service and runs he has given India since 1996. Now is the time he has been waiting for, to be part of an India team capable of bossing the world, just like Tendulkar. Hopefully he will rediscover his form and enjoy the adulation befitting of such a champion while his team basks in the limelight. Well done India in Chennai, and don’t stop here!

Richard Sydenham is the Managing Editor of Bigstarcricket
   
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