India [ Images ] boast of the most balanced batting order in the world, backed by a highly effective bowling unit and that explains their rise as the number one Test team in the world, according to chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth [ Images ].

"We have the most balanced batting line-up for any situation and our bowlers have shown they don't depend upon only turning tracks to win the Tests," said.

India dominated the three-match home series against Sri Lanka [ Images ], which they won 2-0 and rocketed to the top of the ICC Test ratings.

"Just look at our batting personnel. Virender Sehwag [ Images ] and Gautam Gambhir [ Images ], an explosive pair, to open the innings. Sehwag is a guy who can help India score 400 runs in a day that sets it up nicely for the team. And then there's (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni and Yuvraj to tear into the bowling lower down," the former India skipper said.

"Then we have the solid players in Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar [ Images ], VVS Laxman [ Images ] and Rahul Dravid [ Images ]," he added.

He pointed out how the team got out of difficult situations by giving the example of the first Test at Ahmedabad [ Images ], where the hosts were down 32 for four on the first morning before recovering.

"From 32 for four, Rahul made a splendid 177 and Yuvraj and Dhoni also batted well. Last year too, in the Chennai Test (against England [ Images ]), Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj helped India successfully chase down a target of 386 on the last day track which is not easy," he reminded.

He showered praise on the team's bowling combination as well and said it has repeatedly shown the capability of taking out 20 wickets to win Test matches.

"The bowling attack does not depend any more on turning tracks. It has shown it can help win Tests all over the world, including the backyards of South Africa [ Images ], England, West Indies [ Images ], New Zealand [ Images ] or Australia [ Images ]," the former opener said.

He also praised comeback pacer S Sreesanth [ Images ] who, out of the Test team for 19 months, grabbed the first chance he got, to bowl his side to victory on a flat Kanpur wicket.

"Spinners like Harbhajan Singh [ Images ] and Amit Mishra [ Images ], who filled in so well for the injured Anil Kumble [ Images ] in his debut Test in Mohali, give the attack a lot of variety," he said.

The chief selector also indicated how the bench strength has risen to the occasion whenever the need arose. "Murali Vijay [ Images ] played at Nagpur (fourth and final Test against Australia) one year ago, (when Gambhir was serving a one-match ban for elbowing Aussie Shane Watson [ Images ] in the previous Test). He rose up to the challenge then and when the opportunity came in Mumbai [ Images ], he again did well," said Srikkanth.