As for Harbhajan, he wants to return to Australia. “I want to come back and play more. It’s a challenge and I like that. I think we performed really well and to beat Australia ghar pe aake (in their home) is a great achievement. We answered them with the bat and ball and that’s how it should be. I had kucch chhota (some small) drama with Symonds and Hayden but that’s OK. It was nice to pick them here and in Sydney because they were in good nick. Symonds is a really good player and we have had some good cricket here,” he said.

As the team celebrated, Virender Sehwag and Munaf Patel hoisted a champagne-drenched Sachin Tendulkar on their shoulders and ran around — the master veteran was the one who powered the young team to victory in the finals, first with an unbeaten century at Sydney and with another magnificent 91 today to take India to 258/9.

“I think it’s a great victory and this young team has done really well. I think after the T20 World Cup, this is the biggest win. Wins like these need to be celebrated, and we did that inside the dressing room,” Tendulkar said.

But this young side knew they had just spoilt an Australian farewell. Then Dhoni put it in perspective: “It’s not about how old the Australian team is, it’s about the young Indian team.” Sorry Adam Gilchrist, sorry Brad Hogg, you will be missed.