As we sing Hosannas of Dhoni and his boys-turned-men in blue in the wake of their CB series success, I feel that Indian cricket has turned a new chapter. The high-profile tour of Australia marked by acrimony and controversy coincided with the launch of the billion-dollar and revolutionary Indian Premier League. Add to this melting pot India winning the under-19 World Cup.

Indian cricket had never seen so much money being poured into it in such a short period nor a ODI series win of such magnitude, substance and significance. Dhoni’s team has virtually ended the Australian hegemony in world cricket as the kangaroos will now head to the outback to lick their wounds and reflect on the future.

Even as the Indian David slayed the Australian Goliath in the cricketing coliseums Down Under, one wondered whether the power balance has irrevocably shifted east not so much due to the financial muscle but sheer ability and performance.

One would like to believe that Indian cricket is moving in a direction that envisages exciting times with the young riding roughshod over experienced players. In keeping with today’s mantra of youth, Dhoni has already let it be known that he would rather gamble with 20-nothings rather than be saddled with 30-somethings. In this context, the very definition of being “old” takes a new connotation. Perhaps, Dhoni himself might contemplate retirement in four years time when he will be 30!

Looking back over the turbulent two months, the no-hopers Indian team transformed itself into a world-beater. After the Melbourne Test disaster, the Indians picked themselves up to put together a stirring display that sent out strong signals to the once mighty Aussies that their reign was nearing its end.