Hailing India's series levelling win against Sri Lanka in the second cricket Test as a start of a bright future, former captain Sunil Gavaskar today said that the Virat Kohli-led side not only looks "determined" but has also found the right balance in all departments.
Trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, India humbled Sri Lanka by 278 runs at the P Sara Oval to deny Kumar Sangakkara a fairytale ending in his swansong.
Gavaskar is impressed with India's team effort.
"It tells you how they determined they are to take Indian cricket forward. The way they have played this Test match and the way they have combined... This was a real team effort. In a win there will always be a couple of people who have done a bit better than everybody else, but I think it's been a combined team effort. And that's what it tells you, it's the determination to take Indian cricket forward," Gavaskar told 'NDTV'.
"The real Test will come outside sub-continent. But the way they are shaping up for it, certainly makes you feel optimistic. Because they have got a very good balance, very good batting, their bowling looks balanced and their fielding has been quite outstanding. The close-in catching has been quite superb.
"So, I think there is all the more reason for Indian cricket lovers to be optimistic about the performance of the future of this team," he added.
It was Kohli's first win as Test skipper and Gavaskar also sees a good future for the young leader.
"Just like a batsman wants a hundred under his belt, a captain wants a Test win under his belt and that's what Virat has had. I would believe that this would be the first of many wins that he will have under his leadership," he said.
Gavaskar did see Murali Vijay's absence from the final Test due to an hamstring injury as a blow to India but also welcomed Cheteshwar Pujara's re-entry into the playing XI.
"Vijay's injury is a bit unfortunate, because he batted so well. He was the one who took the attack to the opposition and thus allowed Rahane to play his natural game. So Vijay's injury is a big blow for India. But I think Cheteshwar Pujara is equally capable of the big runs and maybe long overdue for a recall to the Indian playing XI," he said.
"The pitch in the next game will decide the formation of the side, but I don't really foresee too many changes in the team. Maybe a Bhuvneshwar Kumar in place of Stuart Binny," he added.
