Ganguly stunned by dramatic triumph

India captain Sourav Ganguly could barely believe the way his team had fought back to clinch the three-Test series against Australia on Thursday.

"Absolutely great. After losing in Bombay and after the first two days in Calcutta, I never thought we would be here," Ganguly said after a dramatic two-wicket victory in the deciding Test in Madras.

He conceded that his team had almost messed up their chase for the 155 runs needed for victory as they slumped from 101 for two to 135 for seven.

"We lost a couple of wickets, but fought it out well in the end," he added. "Sameer (Dighe) showed lot of character."

He said Vangipurappu Laxman's innings of 281 and Rahul Dravid's 180 in the Calcutta second Test had been the turning point in the series, with India winning that match after following on.

Australian skipper Steve Waugh said: "It has been a series that has had some great ups and downs. India did well to fight back after having lost the first test. I congratulate them."

Waugh said he felt Australia still had a chance after reducing India to 132 for five at tea.

"I told the guys we've still got a chance. If two wickets go quickly...

"They just made it."

India's coach John Wright praised his side's team effort and said it was players with ability to perform under pressure who enabled the hosts to bounce back and win the series.

FIGHT HARD

"The importance in our development is to pick players who will try hard and have the ability to fight and play hard under pressure," New Zealander Wright said.

"This was the key thing in our performance in the series," he said, adding that it was more important than ability and talent.

He has led India to their second consecutive home triumph since taking over as the first foreign coach late last year.

Wright, who has repeatedly urged the team to play with passion, said: "People stood up when we needed them. Laxman particularly stood up in the Calcutta and with help of Saurav and Dravid made sure we made a fight of it," he said.

He complimented Australia for making the series a memorable one. "Have to give credit to the Australians for making it a great series. They kept fighting till the end," he added.

On Harbhajan Singh, he said: "He showed the discipline that was required of him, to bowl the right line. That gave him the reward."

Wright said he had emphasised to the players that Australia were a tough team and they would have to fight really hard to win.

"First stopping their (record winning) run and then clinching the series is particularly heartening," he said.

Wright said: "I don't want anyone to forget that this is entirely a team effort. This should be underscored."

More on Day 5 of the third Test

For Australia, it is the Lost Frontier
Magical 'Bhajji' thanks Kumble, Wright
Adam Gilchrist in Real Audio -- Day 5
Images of Day 5 - third Test

Mail Cricket Editor