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Team India’s win over Australia in the Perth Test was the result of a great team effort. The hurt Indian tigers roared, determined not to give away a corner. The fighting Australians’ best moment was the 73-run slog by Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark towards the end of the match.

What was the tonic that boosted the Indians? Sydney and its aftermath definitely had a role to play in the way Anil Kumble and his team bounced back. Of late Indians have shown the Australians time and again that they will not suffer any obscenity. In fact Anil Kumble’s “monkey” dance after dismissing Symonds reminded one of Ganguly’s response to Flintoff’s bare-chested tantrums.

The best part of India’s win was its team effort. Sehwag walked upto Kumble asking Ishant Sharma to be given one more over because he was in good rhythm and was troubling Ponting. And immediately Ponting edged to Dravid at first slip. Pathan’s return with a bang was another plus point. Credit has to go to Kumble for handling the team the way he did after Sydney. To ensure that the team did not go down mentally was largely due to his handling of the internal and external situation.

Kumble, in his short stint as captain, cannot be faulted for much. Except for the delayed declaration at Bangalore against Pakistan last month to ensure Dinesh Karthik’s half-century and the ticket to Australia, he has been flawless. But who knows - Karthik could be opening at Adelaide, given Jaffer’s poor form!

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