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India ascended the summit in ICC Test Championship rankings for the first time. They beat Sri Lanka convincingly by an innings and 24 runs in the third Test at Mumbai to win the series 2-0. The progress to the top has been one mixed with circumstance and consistency. Not something that would be associated with an Indian side even a couple of years back.

During this time unnecessary controversy has plagued the side, as have injuries and change in management and personnel. There have been three different captains, several different pace and spin bowlers in the side at one time or another, retirement of two of India’s all-time greats and even the ignominious dropping of world class players by selection gaffes.

Harsha Bhogle in his column in cricinfo.com rightly points out, “But I am a little concerned at the state of denial in some parts of the world, with the continued devaluation of India winning in India. This is not accompanied by a similar attitude to Australia winning at home, or for that matter South Africa or England doing so. India’s winning streak has not been due to financial jugglery, which is a convenient myth in itself, but due to good cricket.” India’s record in Tests for the past two years has been enviable to say the least. The last time India lost a Test match was in July 2008 in Sri Lanka. It is also the last time they lost a Test series. India has won every Test series they have played for close to a year and a half. No other team has a better record over this period. Even Australia, which has lived off their past performances to hold on to the number one position, has lost three Test series during this time including one at home. The team’s record is superb from May 2007. Out of ten Test series, India have won 7, lost two (Aus and Sri Lanka) and drawn a home series against South Africa. The side has away series wins in England, West Indies, New Zealand and Pakistan, silencing those who say they are poor travelers. In fact, the last time an Indian side went win-less in a series was against Pakistan in January of 2006.

But critics still continue to point out that rankings are flawed and this Indian team does not have the dominating streak and killer instinct like the West Indian and Australian sides of the past. They also opine that India relies too much on individual batting brilliance and cannot play as a team. They pick on the fielding and fitness and compare it to sides which struggle to reach the top half of the table. They may have some points for some of the time but even they cannot ignore the hard facts.

Credit should go not only to this team that crushed Sri Lanka in the series, but also to those who have been a part of building this side over the last few years. Anil Kumble stepped in when the selectors were not ready to thrust Dhoni with the responsibility of Test captaincy and he led by example. He guided and prepared them through a tough transition. The core of this side – Sachin, Rahul, Sehwag, Laxman, Harbhajan and Zaheer – then gave their new captain all the support he needed and helped him mould this side into one capable of beating any opposition, anywhere in the world. Dhoni’s captaincy has inspired much talk and he might well be one of the luckiest Indian skippers with an optimum combination of seniors and youngsters, all of whom have made important contributions when circumstances demanded it. Whether it is Gautham Gambhir who has become the number one Test batsman, or even the temperamental Sreesanth taking 5 wickets on his return, at crucial times there has always been someone who has performed beyond his potential.

However as with all success, India must celebrate and move on. The difficult part is staying on top than to get there. Harshla Bhogle again rightly points out, “India needs to groom batting replacements, and there are only two on the horizon: the scarcely tested Murali Vijay and the untested Cheteshwar Pujara. Harbhajan Singh desperately needs competition to take him to another level, but more important, India will have to find a way to ensure that players of serious ability, such as Rohit Sharma, Sreesanth, Ishant and RP Singh, don’t lose their way.” It will be exciting nonetheless to see how this talented Indian side does in the future series. For now, it’s well done Team India!