India Becomes Numero Uno In Test Cricket

India with 124 points surpassed mighty South Africa ( 122 points ) in ICC Test Rankings. The renovated Brabourne Stadium erupted with joy as Murali edged Bajji to Dhoni.

Sachin said that this was the glorious fruit of a 18 month dream come true. He said all credit must go to the coaches, G Kirsten, V Prasad and R Singh. Asked if this was the best team he had played along with, he said as Dhoni was batting at No 7, this is a strong batting line up.

Dhoni said the win was the result of a great team effort, wherein everyone contributed.

Not only batting, it was bowling which did the Sri Lankans in. Zaheer took 5/72 and was instrumental in skittling the Sri Lankans out for 309. Sreeshant bowled well and achieved a breakthrough when he removed the dangerous Paranavitana. All four specialist Indian bowlers were successful. All batsmen were also successful and India had played another perfect Test. 726/9 was an improvisation over the last 642 ! SLs 393 and 309 were better improvisations than 229 & 269, but then 726 was too much for them.

India should now avoid complacency, which can be the foundation of failure. She should aim now to become the numero uno in ODIs and T20s !

V Prasad imparted his knowledge of swing and reverse swing to the Indian pacers, with the result India produced excellent swing bowlers in Sreeshant, I Sharma, RP Singh, Nehra, Z Khan and P Kumar. I Sharma lost his swing by trying to bowl too fast, according to Manoj Prabhakar. It was the perfect left armers outswinger from Z Khan which removed Sangakara ! Indian swing bowling did wonders as Sreeshant in the second Test and Z Khan in the Third demonstrated !

SL is now down in the doldrums, on 144/5. Sangakara seems to be waging a lone battle against Indias spinners and medium pacers !

Now SL finished the day with 274/6, with Sangakara undefeated on 133. Can he do a Dennis Amiss ? ( Dennis Amiss scored 274 no on the last day and salvaged the Test for England ).

SL was cruising well along, on 119/2, when Sreeshant struck. He removed Paranavitana with a superb delivery.SL 119/2. Then Zaheer struck removing Jayawardene. SL 135/3. Samaraweera fell to Khan. SL 137/4. Then Angelo Mathews was devoured by Ojha. SL 144/5 !

Then Prasanna came to partner Sanga and there ensued a good partnership. It lasted till 208, when Prasanna was removed by a master ball from the left arm spinner, Ojha. SL 208/6.

Kulasekara then joined Sanga, who stroked his way to a great 133 no. They are still there at 274/6.

Most probably, India will create history and move to Numero Uno position in Tests, unless Sanga does a Dennis Amiss !

What a great man Dhoni is ! Scores a hundred casually and then declares !

SL was in no mood to give the match to India on a platter. They bowled their heart out and got Sehwag for 293, Dravid for 74. Sachin and Laxman were also wobbled up. Only Yuvraj failed to score above 50.

In such a challenging situation, Dhoni walked in. He played casually, defending in the early overs and then lashing out at the end. After his well compiled hundred, he declared at 726/9, with India having a lead of 333 runs.

If Murali could get so much turn, why not Ojha and Bajji. This seems to be the question on everybodys mind. SL will have to stand for 2 more days.

Will India create history by winning this Test and becoming the No 1 in ICC Test Rankings ?