Kirsten-Dhoni combine continues forward march

DAMBULLA: At the heart of India's continued evolution as an intimidating Test unit lies the efficacy of its captain-coach combine and the careful nurturing of a stable work environment.

The pair's wealth of combined accomplishments coming into this Test series were numerous, including the attainment of the world No.1 rank, the development of Gautam Gambhir and the welcome second wind discovered by ageing but non-replaceable batting stalwarts.

Yet, squaring off against Sri Lanka in their backyard, with a heavily depleted and injury-hit bowling lineup, was their toughest trial yet. Most of Dhoni's victories had come at home, with only short tours to New Zealand and Bangladesh before this.

In Sri Lanka, both the captain and Gary Kirsten crossed an important personal threshold. India didn't win the series but the pair came out cementing its formidable reputation.

Dhoni and Kirsten now have two losses in the past 16 Tests to mull over, including the shambolic batting performance in Galle, but the come-from-behind win in the third Test will be another memorable milestone, along with Kolkata earlier this year, Chennai in December 2008, Mohali, Kanpur and Hamilton.

The captain-coach chemistry has forever been one of Indian cricket's prickly issues but this pair has gone about its task in a methodical, thoroughly professional and unobtrusive manner, getting the best out of the players without appearing to ruffle any feathers. They have provided a calm which had eluded Indian cricket for too long.

VVS Laxman, engineer of a remarkable victory at the P Sara Oval, immediately focused his attentions on the dressing room environment and the keen tactical inputs.

"Gary has been a huge influence in our success," he said. "It's been the best dressing room atmosphere I have experienced in my career. He has been of great help both at the technical aspects and also from the mental point of view, both for seniors and juniors. MS (Dhoni) has been very good in handling success and failure. He has been good at handling pressure situations. It's like a family, you are caring for each other, helping them in tough times and enjoying each other's success. Gary has been responsible for creating an atmosphere where everyone plays for each other."

According to him everyone is a star and has got a role. Laxman isn't the only one singing Kirsten's praises. Suresh Raina had explained to TOI during the SSC Test how Kirsten had been a valuable guide and helped him calm his nerves and not be too over-eager going into his Test debut. Tendulkar and Sehwag too have on many occasions praised the team environment.

The low-profile Kirsten has been a busy man on this tour, sheafing through his notes even at the breakfast table at times, keeping an eagle eye on the practice sessions, chirping in whenever things were not to his liking and yet managing to keep everyone in their comfort zones.

India's bowling weaknesses were exposed over the three Tests but there are gains too: Pragyan Ojha has shown he is a fast learner with potential to cement a spot, Suresh Raina created some healthy competition for Yuvraj Singh, and Mithun cut his teeth at the Test level impressively.

In the absence of Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth and an unfit, out-of-form and ultimately unavailable Harbhajan Singh, the bowling unit toiled and struggled till luck struck.

Ishant Sharma's spell to Mahela Jayawardene in Galle in a fascinating session of cricket was one of the highlights of the tour, and that kind of ability deserves fostering. Most importantly, the team's engine - the batting led by Sehwag and Tendulkar - throbbed with vigour. Only Dravid was unlucky to miss out, though he too showed glimpses of fine form.

"I think we had a goal to come here and win the series, so obviously there is disappointment in not doing it. But I'm very satisfied with the way we fought back in the last Test," said Kirsten. "It again showed the character of the team. It showed what this team is all about and what we can do in pressure situations. It's also great that we had a couple of youngsters who came in and did the business. Raina played two great Tests, Ojha bowled exceptionally well. Ishant and Mithun didn't get all the rewards they would have liked but they put in a massive effort."

Kirsten sidestepped talk on the No.1 rank, saying: "We take pride in our performance over the last two years. We want to play well against every Test nation. It will be important for this team to grow, especially with the younger players coming in, and for the seniors to keep performing."

Tendulkar, who has been in imperious form and whose double hundred at the SSC turned the series around for India, rated the win at the P Sara Oval very highly. "We showed character," he said. "You keep trying and that is how you succeed. Once you have tasted success, you know how it feels and want more. The Chennai win was obviously special but this one, looking at the kind of surface and our bowling attack, I thought we did really, really well."

Great teams know how to get out of jail, how to get the intangibles right. Kirsten and Dhoni will be hoping the gains from Sri Lanka are not forgotten.