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The young guns

A 4-0 “reverse swing” whitewash, for the first time ever, that saw one-time World Test cricket’s best, pulverize a weakened, “rudderless” Australian side, and avenge a pitiful series that saw them go down by that same margin last year, must rank as the hosts’ best ever home performance, winning this test inside 3 days — eclipsing even that memorable series that included an old Aussie guard consisting of some retirees, 12 years ago.

This series win should give the selectors enough ammunition to overhaul a side that fielded some crocks, and is a tribute to the many young wannabes (like Ashwin, Jadeja, Pujara, Dhawan) whose ambitions were once thwarted both by the BCCI and older players (Tendulkar, Sehwag) who persisted with playing in the national team despite falling averages.

Dhoni’s resuscitated captaincy, with a double century to boot, can be cited as a central feature of this momentous win.