The win ends a brilliant series for India who, like England before them, now have an opportunity to show this is no fluke and impose themselves on world cricket. Despite the retirements of Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly – and the imminent departure of Sachin Tendulkar - this is a team that has the goods, but still must address issues to conquer the globe.

Essentially, they beat Australia because they had the perfect balance in attack – a left and right arm pace bowler, both of whom can swing the ball, a successful off-spinner, and a new leg-spinner to replace the brilliance of Anil Kumble. 

Such depth is apparent, but their Achilles heel appears to be occasional poor fielding and the lack of an all-rounder who many believe is essential for a team to be all-powerful.  But the most prudent question is: Is the greatest batting line-up in Indian Test history passing just as we begin to witness the beginnings of their greatest bowling attack?

These are the issues that may prevent India superceding Australia as the world’s dominant Test nation. 

Despite the issues clearly evident in Australia’s bowling performance, they still wield an awesome batting line-up. They will always be dangerous against any attack, but without the ability to take 20 wickets they will suffer more losses and many more draws. An Australian Test team will always bat well, field well and play the full five days. But for a team to win, they must bowl out the opposition.

While their attack was depleted, just look at the difference Jason Krejza made to the side. He gave a balanced look to the bowling, even if the selectors and captain left it so late to include a full-time spinner..

The bowling was dominated by the Indians, with their central attack of Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Ahit Mishra and Zaheer Kahn taking 55 wickets between them. All but Kahn had averages in the twenties and economy rates of less than three.

Compare this with Australia, where Mitchell Johnson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 13 wickets, but at an average of 40.07. Brett Lee, the spearhead of the attack, could only manage eight wickets at an average of 60-plus.  Sadly for Australia, Krejza, only swelected for the last Test, took 12 wickets at an average of 29.83, even though he went for nearly five an over.

With the bat, despite Australia’s strength here, they were outplayed by the Indians, with four players in the top five statistics for the series and five players averaging better than 50. These were headed by the outstanding Gautam Gambhir, who scored 463 runs in the series at an average of 77.16. 

Australia had only Mike Hussey averaging over 50, although the form of Simon Katich throughout the series was a shining light for a team in need of illumination.

For the world’s number one Test team, they have a series of redemption ahead of them, playing New Zealand, who should not challenge a wounded Australia at home. 

For India, the hosting of England should be the perfect opportunity to cement world opinion that they may be the world’s-best elect. But the challenge for Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be when he takes India away from the comforts of home – a reminder that India are not the force away that they are on the sub-continent.