A lot of people will obviously point to the absence of Smith and Warner, which possibly could have had a significant impact on the outcome of the series.
However, this is the culmination of a decade of culture change in Indian cricket, which has included the genesis of the IPL and the World Cup win in 2011. Nobody should underestimate the impact of this on the psyche of up-and-coming cricketers in India.
They have the player of this generation in Virat Kohli, the bowling and batting fire-power to support him and the resources and system in place back home to keep producing more cricketers.
World cricket beware.
This is a very good observation. What people observe is the tip of the iceberg (test series win in Australia). What goes unnoticed is the consciuos and unconscious effort that has gone into making it possible.
1. Support system- Players being supported by BCCI, BCCI being supported by public, Public being supported by a growing economy.
2. Great mentoring and support from part legends that hand over cricketing legacy from one generation to other. There was smooth transition of captaincy from Dhoni to Kohli and a great support system is in place. Youngsters just have to look up to the seniors and they are there to help.
3. Great support staff- Let us not underestimate the hard work done by the support staff. The bowling coach and batting coach are the unsung heroes who have done research and planned how the batsmen would deal with opposition bowler and how the Indian pacers would bowl to the opposition batsmen.
4. Stress on physical fitness- Kohli is a fitness freak and that has rubbed off in his players. Physical strength and fitness leads to mental toughness, and that leads to self belief. This is something that was lacking in past generation of Indian cricketers (who on paper has better "talent" but were unable to harness that talent)
5. Bench strength- We keep hearing from some that absence of Smith and Warner reduced this Australian team from a top team to Australia D. In case of Indian team, one keep losing first choice players and continues to find their replacement. How many of us even realise that our first choice keeper Saha was lost to injury and our first choice opener Shaw was lost to injury as well. But their absence did not reduce India to India C or D. Their replacements were just as good. There are lots of great talent waiting for their chances.
5. Clear long term vision- It is very important. This vision remains constant and does not change just because the personnel change.
The above are some of the factors that makes it worthwhile for a Indian cricket fan like me to follow this Indian cricket team. I have faith in the abilities of this team that I never felt in the abilities of any of the past generation teams.
It is a series win that was long in coming, but it is just the beginning. I am cautiously optimistic that a test series win in South Africa too could be achieved next time India tours there.
