Now Uthappa pulls out his Team India business card

And, after the World Cup, the allegations, the dirt, Team India had finally joined hands — old and young — to pull off their biggest one-day win since that traumatic return from the Caribbean. At 3-3, the series now goes into the decider at Lord’s on Saturday.

“It’s still sinking in, I am still soaked in beer,” said Uthappa, the brash new face of Team India. “It’s not all about getting hundreds, If I keep scoring 90s and the team is winning, I will take that “ said Sachin Tendulkar, the diplomatic veteran, whose 94 and the 150-run opening stand with Sourav Ganguly set up India’s chase of 316.

Finally, skipper Rahul Dravid delivered his verdict: “The two seniors (Sachin and Sourav) played fantastic. The fightback was great.”

And Uthappa? Despite being out of the first five matches, he remained unfazed — relaxed, plugged on to his music. He’s a great believer in destiny, his friends say. If it has to happen, it will happen, he tells them. Today, it finally happened.

Match Report