India Blues

And like everything, even good 'teams' have to die.
Aint no sympathy when they say goodbye.

It has been the end of an era. The present Indian team had shown symptoms of a terminal illness for some time. The heartbreaking WC exit was just the death knell. However, despite all the anguish, it has to be said: this was possibly the best Indian team ever. Better than Wadekar's team that won in England and West Indies and better than Kapil's devils.

With the seeds sown in 2000 when Ganguly was made captain and John Wright the coach, it showed initial signs of greatness in 2001 by taking on Steve Waugh's bullies by their horns and taming them. The golden era of the Blues came in 2003, when they ended the World Cup as runners up, squared the series Down Under and defeated Pakistan on their home turf. Some of the best test wins overseas were scripted during their time: Headingley in 2002, Adelaide, Multan and Lahore in 2003, Jamaica and Johenasburg 2006 to name a few.

This team treaded on the brink of greatess so often. It is sad that they would always be remembered not for what they have achieved, but for what they could have.