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India still have a long way to go before they can claim to be the best Test team in the world.
The home series victory against a fairly awful Australian side was a step in the right direction. But to be number one consistent performances are needed both at home and abroad.
Just a few months ago, there was a disastrous tour of Sri Lanka. Losing to the Sri Lankans hurt because Indian batsmen are good players of spin.
The best thing that has happened to India is that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is now rightfully the leader of the team. Having a proactive captain is what India needs urgently.
Dhoni is very unorthodox in both his batting and captaincy. A defensive-minded team like India needs Dhoni to break out of that mould.
The new captain brings vibrancy to the team and this is reflected by the positive attitude and energy of the players.
Dhoni was one of the main architects of India's victory in the fourth Test. His defensive field placements on the third day with Australia going strong was baffling at first but a masterstroke in the end.
By strangling the Australian run rate, Dhoni put pressure on the batting line-up and a promising total never surfaced.
And Ponting's strange tactics of using part-timers with India six wickets down for 166 helped Dhoni to conjure up a 108-run partnership with Harbhajan Singh which effectively put the match in India's favour.
India outplayed Australia in every department. A major plus point was that the Indian team was far more balanced.
Both the pace and spin bowlers made crucial contributions. Man-of-the-series Ishant Sharma had most of the top order batsmen in trouble with late swing. He was well supported by Zaheer Khan.
Harbhajan did not bowl at his best but came up with the goods at critical moments. Amit Mishra has a bright future, taking into consideration his debut series.
Sachin Tendulkar finally found form and this went a long way in boosting India's chances. He was also helped by the fact that the openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag blazed their way to major partnerships.
Gambhir was India's batting hero. He showed excellent technique and temperament and a double century in the third Test was his crowning glory. A one-Test ban for elbowing the foul-mouthing Shane Watson was unfair.
Saurav Ganguly marked his final series with style and consistency. It was a tribute to his determination and single-mindedness and India will miss him.
VVS Laxman was facing pressure by the end of the first Test but as is his wont, he let his bat do the talking and ensured another successful outing against Australia.
Rahul Dravid's miserable run continued and there is every chance he may be rested or face the axe when India face England next month.
India will now search for replacements for Ganguly and Anil Kumble who have now walked into history.
Mishra is the obvious replacement for Kumble. There will be many contenders for Ganguly's place and the favourite will be Rohit Sharma.
But India must not forget that the talented Yuvraj Singh has all the necessary skills to take the number six slot.
If aggression is going to be India's new mantra, then Yuvraj fits perfectly.
