Hope it starts from here: Sachin

A day after the comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first Test, every member of the Indian cricket team was still savouring India's first Test win outside the subcontinent in 15 years.

Sunday's victory has a different significance for each of them. For the senior members of the team like Sachin Tendulkar and Javagal Srinath, who have been in international cricket for a number of years now, the victory didn't come a day too early.

"It is very thrilling. I hope it starts from here," said Tendulkar, who played a major role in the victory with knocks of 74 and 36 not out in the two innings.

"I would not like to compare it with any other Test win... But the boys are sticking together and it is a great sign. I hope it stays this way," he said.

Srinath, who took four wickets in the match, was more sombre.

"This win was overdue. It was time we succeeded. We lost on winning quite a few close games in the last few years. It is time we make up for those lost opportunities."

For Sourav Ganguly this was the fifth Test victory in seven matches as captain, and the stylish left-hander was obviously jubiliant and echoed Srinath's views.

"There were ocassions in the past when we came quite close to winning. There are so many Tests I can remember. There was one in Johannesburg, Barbados, Wellington... indeed Barbados was the saddest. We needed just 120 runs to win the game and couldn't do it," he said, trying to put the victory in perspective.

Mail Cricket Editor