It's instructive for those who have all along doubted that Team India have no option but to stick to seniors because the juniors are hardly good enough to make the cut. Five of the team's regulars, the three batting stars, and Yuvraj and Zaheer Khan were not in the picture and yet the team won against the hosts whom they had never ever beaten at Kingsmead.

Only last year we had Sreesanth scything through the South African line-up at Wanderers. When the baton is passed in the not so very distant future, Team India could be in safe hands.

Rohit Sharma charmed all hugely on Thursday evening. His composure, shot-selection, cheekiness to lap the ball behind stumps point towards a young man who is equally blessed with intelligence as he is with skills. At 33/3, the best would have been flustered.

Rohit, nearly unused in England for three months and dropped for three forthcoming one-dayers against Australia, in contrast held his poise. It's in moments such as this, against formidable opponents and on as difficult pitch as the one at Kingsmead, that the true character of an individual is revealed. I sense India have unearthed a real article on Thursday evening.

The Indians also reinforced the growing belief that on helpful pitches, their medium-pacers can test the best. Rudra Pratap Singh produced his patent banana swing when coming round the wicket that sneaked past Shaun Pollock's defence.

Two dismissals in quick succession through brilliance in the field by Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma underlined what fielding can do to a team's chances.

Team-work shone through when Mahender Singh Dhoni, inconvenienced by a back strain, handed over the gloves to Karthik who was straining to make up for his batting failure.

India will now back themselves to produce a similar resolve against Australia on Saturday. They have realised that strength on paper counts for little in this format. A good call at the toss, some resolute batting, and Dhoni's men could be pushing the world champions.

I sense a few pointers to this resurgence. Virender Sehwag is looking ominous and he could choose Saturday to give vent to all his frustrations of recent months. Harbhajan Singh is inspiring enough faith to be entrusted with final overs of an innings.

Yuvraj would surely be back and Dhoni too is hitting his straps. The intent of Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, to go with Rohit's promise, as well as the balance which Irfan Pathan lends, are all good omens.

It's instructive for those who have all along doubted that Team India have no option but to stick to seniors because the juniors are hardly good enough to make the cut. Five of the team's regulars, the three batting stars, and Yuvraj and Zaheer Khan were not in the picture and yet the team won against the hosts whom they had never ever beaten at Kingsmead.

Only last year we had Sreesanth scything through the South African line-up at Wanderers. When the baton is passed in the not so very distant future, Team India could be in safe hands.

Rohit Sharma charmed all hugely on Thursday evening. His composure, shot-selection, cheekiness to lap the ball behind stumps point towards a young man who is equally blessed with intelligence as he is with skills. At 33/3, the best would have been flustered.

Rohit, nearly unused in England for three months and dropped for three forthcoming one-dayers against Australia, in contrast held his poise. It's in moments such as this, against formidable opponents and on as difficult pitch as the one at Kingsmead, that the true character of an individual is revealed. I sense India have unearthed a real article on Thursday evening.

The Indians also reinforced the growing belief that on helpful pitches, their medium-pacers can test the best. Rudra Pratap Singh produced his patent banana swing when coming round the wicket that sneaked past Shaun Pollock's defence.

Two dismissals in quick succession through brilliance in the field by Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma underlined what fielding can do to a team's chances.

Team-work shone through when Mahender Singh Dhoni, inconvenienced by a back strain, handed over the gloves to Karthik who was straining to make up for his batting failure.

India will now back themselves to produce a similar resolve against Australia on Saturday. They have realised that strength on paper counts for little in this format. A good call at the toss, some resolute batting, and Dhoni's men could be pushing the world champions.

I sense a few pointers to this resurgence. Virender Sehwag is looking ominous and he could choose Saturday to give vent to all his frustrations of recent months. Harbhajan Singh is inspiring enough faith to be entrusted with final overs of an innings.

Yuvraj would surely be back and Dhoni too is hitting his straps. The intent of Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, to go with Rohit's promise, as well as the balance which Irfan Pathan lends, are all good omens.