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.

... contd.