And to be able to generate that win with two comeback men has only added to the flavour of this achievement. Irfan Pathan was duly declared the man of the match for swinging the game, literally, towards India. But equally significant was Virender Sehwag’s contribution — blazing a 43 to snatch the initiative yesterday, and then again with that vital wicket of Adam Gilchrist first ball with his off-spin and adding another of Brett Lee.

This Test match has been about comebacks, about two comeback men and one team. A few hours later, after the Test match ended, this WACA ground had already come to terms with its new historical value. Tour guides took around a bunch of all enthusiastic Indians to the pitch to show them the 22 yards that have taken this Indian team a tremendous distance.

Just a few metres away was little Laxman Jr, playing his own game in the outfield. He may or may not chose to play cricket, but if he ever visits this ground again, he can see the scoresheet where his father helped script a dream victory, where a bat signed by him and all Team India players has been kept in the WACA museum. For, history was made today — and how.