Given the youngsters who made it come true, it could well be called an almost-teen spirit that helped India beard the lion in his own den, their first-ever cricket tri-series title on Australian soil
After his "withering condemnation of the excessive conduct" of the Australian team earns him all-round praise, the Indian captain reiterates, "whatever people believe the word was said, he [Harbhajan] didn't say it."
'I was faced with choices in the last few months, either to paint the world black and point fingers at everyone or silently go about picking myself up from the floor and do what I do best.'
'It is too early to collect my thoughts. A lot of hard work has gone into it over the last year. But we did not play well in this tournament and did not deserve to go into the second round.'
Yet to cement a regular place in the ODI squad but the sprightly Kerala paceman believes he has an important role to play in India's scheme of things in the World Cup.
The Indians had themselves to blame as they blew away a 41-run first innings lead with a pathetic batting display in the second, which allowed South Africa to record a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 series triumph.
Is Sachin's "hairline fracture" reason enough to miss the triangular series in Sri Lanka or has his rift with Ganguly widened? The rumour mill is working overtime...
