NEW DELHI (TIP): Indian cricket has rarely been in the pink of health, on the field, as it is now. The team, under the unified captaincy of Virat Kohli across formats, has begun to produce results consistently and Anil Kumble has put in place practices in the background that are ensuring steady growth. Off the field, however, turmoil has been the order of the day, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), at large, and certain administrators in particular, coming to grips with the sweeping changes laid down via the courts

Because of the string of performances overseas, about two years of playing in different conditions, the team developed at pace. The turning point was the tour of Australia, where they held their own and then beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka to become the No. 1 side in the world. To become the No. 1 side even before the long season at home was an achievement. Beating South Africa 3-0, and then the home season helped stretch the lead at the top to a strong position. The run of Tests at home helped balance the side, which will help them overseas as well. The challenge now will be Australia at home. With due respect to England and New Zealand, Australia will be the toughest of India’s home assignments. To beat Australia, India will have to play their best game

The turning point from the batting aspect was quite clear -KL Rahul got a hundred, [Ajinkya] Rahane made a strong century, Virat got four centuries. Then, having a very good World Cup gave the fast bowlers the confidence, the feeling that they could make teams hop, when [Mohammed] Shami, Umesh Yadav were on fire. It was very exciting. What is especially heartening to see is that all the good work the team put in behind the scenes has not gone to waste. The results are coming now.

Their last two visits to India, in their minds, are probably best forgotten. The one thing is that they will come out and play hard. Most of their players would’ve learnt a lot of Indian conditions and (there are also) players from the IPL: there will be caution and aggression. With the likes of [Steve] Smith and Warner in the ranks, and [Mitchell] Starc, [Nathan] Lyon and [Josh] Hazlewood in the bowling, makes for a very interesting series. It is the committee appointed by the courts that is in charge now. When transparency in administration and the electoral process are in place, BCCI, the institution, will be back to where it should be. (PTI)