India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday said achieving the number one ranking in Test cricket was the culmination of the hard work put in by the team over the last two years.
India climbed to the summit of the ICC Test rankings following their victory against Sri Lanka in the third and final Test by an innings and 24 runs to win the three-Test series 2-0.
When asked whether it was a dream come true to be ranked number one, Tendulkar said: "Absolutely! It is because we have been waiting for this moment for a long time. The last 18-20 months have been very good for us."
"This is a reflection of what we have been able to achieve in the last 20 months or so. It is a special day for me, and all the Indians. It is great to be sitting on the top," he declared proudly.
The veteran batsman, who recently completed 20 years in international cricket, paid rich tributes to coach Gary Kirsten and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"We have worked hard and Gary [Kirsten] has been very instrumental, the other support-staff also and along with that the leadership of MS Dhoni and the team's effort so I would say that the whole team got together and worked hard," Tendulkar said.
He refused to credit any particular individual, saying the whole team had performed as a group. "I think the batting has lived up to expectations, the bowlers have done a wonderful job, the fielders have taken the catches. I don't want to pinpoint at a particular thing. It is a team sport and it will always be a team sport," he said.
The Mumbai batsman also said it would be unfair to say that this was the best Indian team he has been a part of. "I don't want to compare because I feel all the Indian teams that I have been a part of, I feel privileged to be in them, and I respect all the players I played with. I wouldn't want to compare. We all know how good the batting line-up is and the world class bowlers in our team and that has been our major force," Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar further pointed out that the team would look on their good form and stay top of the rankings for as long as possible. "The process started a long time and we have to follow the same process. We don't have to do anything different."
