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The Indian cricketers have certainly earned a pat on the back for a hard-fought victory in the Commonwealth Bank triangular one-day series in Australia.
But the earlier they stop gloating over it the better. The way the team was welcomed on its return from Australia was as if they had won the World Cup. Huge amounts of cash were also dished out to the players.
This was totally uncalled for. India's cricketing scene is assuming the status of Hollywood or the local Bollywood.
The fanfare illustrates that Indians don't look beyond cricket anymore. Hockey, tennis and golf are relegated to a distant second.
With a tough tour by South Africa just round the corner, such distractions could be done away with. India still have a long way to go before they can be called the best team in the world.
The best are judged by consistency of performance and India haven't done that. Hopefully once the hullabaloo dies down, the Indians will study and gain from the Australian experience.
India showed great fighting qualities and character in winning the tri-series. They withstood the pressure from the Australians well and triumphed in the low-scoring encounters.
The bowlers must take major credit for taking India into the finals. Sachin Tendulkar then gave masterly performances which helped India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni to lift the trophy.
Dhoni was the catalyst of India's victory. He marshalled his troops with great acumen and played crucial knocks in the middle-order to help the team out of difficult situations. He also kept well.
India have found their captain for the future. Once Anil Kumble retires, which may be sooner rather than later, India don't have to look beyond Dhoni.
The most positive aspect for India is that many of the younger members of the team have begun to perform well at the top level.
This was illustrated by the two Sharmas, Ishant and Rohit. Ishant got better as the tour progressed and by the end of it, was bowling like a champion.
Rohit showed a cool and calculated approach to tight situations for one so young. He also has the batting ability to succeed in Tests.
Praveen Kumar, who comes from a family of wrestlers, did not have to grapple much with the situation. He bowled a good line and length and swung the ball both ways to be well rewarded.
Sri Lanka could not wipe out the memories of a bad tour to Australia a few months earlier when they lost the Tests.
Their form was woeful and their star attraction Sanath Jayasuriya failed. The middle-order proved brittle and it was often left to vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara to shore up the batting.
The weak batting displays did not help Muthiah Muralitharan either and he could not deliver against low scores by his team.
Australia will have to do a lot of soul searching now. They cannot afford to be arrogant and dismissive of their opponents.
The chinks are beginning to widen. The batting, in particular, is failing to inspire. Now with the departure of Adam Gilchrist, things may begin to get worse.
The bowling looks safe though. Brett Lee bowled his heart out while Nathan Bracken and Mitchell Johnson supported ably.
It looks like Australia's golden run may come to an end soon if corrective measures are not taken. But knowing Australia, they will bounce back with a vengeance.
