As the impact of their fairytale 2-1 series win in Australia gradually sinks in back home in India, cricket luminaries around the world have been applauding the enviable array and depth of talent that the victory demonstrated.
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After brilliant newcomers made their name in the series-winning Brisbane Test, the former South Africa batting talisman AB de Villiers seemed to sum up the feeling of the cricket world when he noted admiringly: "The depth of Indian cricket is scary."
The scenes at the Gabba late on Tuesday afternoon were in stark contrast to those from Adelaide a month ago when India had lost the opening Test in three days, having suffered the ignominy of recording their lowest-ever innings total of 36.
With India 1-0 down and regular captain Virat Kohli, the team's batting mainstay, back home to attend the birth of his first child, it did not take pundits long to predict a 4-0 thumping for the tourists.
Yet after their incredible last-day effort at the Gabba, former England captain Michael Vaughan led the humble pie-gulping.
"Wow. That has to go down as one of the greatest if not the greatest Test victories of all time!" said the man who's led England to more Test wins than anyone.
"Egg on my face over here in the UK but I love to see character & skill. India have it in abundance."
Rishabh Pant was under considerable pressure after getting the nod ahead of Wriddhiman Saha, who is considered a better wicketkeeper, following the first Test but he repaid the trust in him by finishing as India's highest scorer in the series.
Pant helped India keep the series level with a draw in Sydney by contributing a scintillating 97 before sealing victory on Tuesday with an unbeaten 89.
"We play him in overseas matches because he's a match-winner, and he showed us exactly why during this series," India coach Ravi Shastri said.
Ravaged by injuries, India handed debuts to five players while using 20.
Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj endured an emotionally testing tour - staying on despite losing his father in November and being abused by the crowd in Sydney - and finished as India's leading wicket-taker.
Shubman Gill missed the Adelaide opener but immediately resolved India's opening woes after making his debut in Melbourne and produced a classy fourth innings knock in Brisbane to help the side chase down a venue-record target.
Seamer T. Natarajan and spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar were India's net bowlers but chipped in with useful contributions on debut while paceman Shardul Thakur was also impressive in Brisbane during only his second test.
Australian Associated Press
