The fact is, on current form, India is the best side in the world. We are already champions in cricket’s shortest format and we won the crown away from home in South African conditions. In the fifty over one-day format, we have beaten Australia in Australia, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka (despite expectations of a rout), and are now leading England at home, expecting a convincing series win in the days to come. In Tests, we beat the West Indies in the West Indies in 2006, won a match against South Africa in South Africa the same year, beat England in England in 2007, Pakistan at home and then came back after the Sydney fiasco to win at Perth, the hallowed fortress of Australian domination, in January 2008. That comeback, after the acrimony of the Sydney Test was reason enough to acknowledge that this Indian side was different, that it wasn’t one to crumble under pressure — an ability that was once again on display at Nagpur in the concluding Test of the series, when the Australians were eyeing a comeback after reducing India to 162 for 6 on day 4. However, that was not to be, and India has now followed the Perth win with a convincing series win against Australia at home. The Indians are certainly the heir-apparents if not the heirs, with the ceremonial transfer of power mere days away.

The current composition of the Indian side, and India’s bench strength contributes much to strengthening this argument. Never has Indian fast bowling looked so incisive and potent. With an inspired and mature Zaheer Khan as leader, we now have the best fast bowling prospect in the world in Ishant Sharma, and able back up in Munaf Patel and R. P. Singh. This is an attack that can win Test matches in all conditions and is the only attack that swings the ball both ways. In the spin department, Harbhajan is back at his best and Amit Mishra has done much to inspire confidence that he has the talent. With Piyush Chawla knocking on the door, the competition is more than healthy. In batting, Yuvraj Singh’s recent heroics have already lessened the who-after- Ganguly worries. And with Sehwag, Gambhir, Tendulkar and Laxman going great guns, we look like a complete batting unit. Once Rahul Dravid is back in form, his unbeaten fifty for Karnataka in the just finished Ranji outing proves he is hungry for runs, Indian batting leaves no cause for worry. With Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Murali Vijay all staking a claim for a spot in the side, alarm bells aren’t ringing anymore at the thought of the “fab” four retiring over the next couple of years. To top it all, we have a captain who is at his best and is a hard taskmaster. Dhoni has the talent, the determination and an unrivalled zeal to win — aspects of his character that have endeared him to greats the world over.

Finally, as with all other sports, cricket too has its derby contests. However many times may Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay beat Usain Bolt in the circuit, Bolt is, and will remain, the world champion for the next few years. Bolt won in style when it mattered, and the same applies for Mahendra Dhoni and his men. We may not yet be the undisputed champions of world cricket, but the crown — well and truly — is ours.

The writer is executive editor, ‘Sport in Society’ (Routledge)