TNN
New Delhi, Dec 6: More than 77 years after India began playing Tests, M S Dhoni's men have a real chance of going where no Indian team has before - the summit of Test cricket.
With Sri Lanka still needing 59 runs to make India bat again, and just four wickets to go, the ICC world No 1 Test ranking is tantalizingly within reach.
If achieved, it would be a fitting slot for a team that hasn't lost a Test series since August 2008 in Sri Lanka and has since proceeded to sort out ‘mystery spinner' Ajantha Mendis in no uncertain terms.
Before that, they lost narrowly to Australia in Australia - and even that was a bitter, scrappy affair in which they ran the then world champions down to the wire and would probably have drawn the series, but for the intervention of Steven Bucknor at Sydney.
India may have lost that series, but it was clearly on the right track, with the batsmen no longer cowed by lively tracks or short-pitched pace. Remember, during that series India beat Australia at Perth, considered a fast bowler's dream pitch. Just as importantly, the team finally had an attack that could match fire with fire, while also boasting the traditional Indian strengths of guile and tweak.
Long described as tigers at home but lambs abroad, India had briefly turned the tide under Sourav Ganguly. Even after he left the hot seat, India notched up some important wins, like the series win in England. But Rahul Dravid's abrupt resignation plunged Indian cricket into a fresh round of confusion after the chaos of the Greg Chappell era.
Enter Anil Kumble, the first bowler to captain India since Ravi Shastri led in a single Test in 1987-88. Kumble's vision document conveyed the need for focus and dedication. His mantra: Play fearless cricket and stop quibbling about factors you can't control, like the toss or the wicket. During his stint, the team found its feet again.
Kumble's exit paved the way for M S Dhoni. Having led India to victory at the first T20 world championship and the final Australian tri-series, Dhoni had already established his leadership credentials. His calm-but-ruthless style has worked equally well in Tests.