Kapil Dev hails Team India

NEW DELHI: Former India players were quick to hail the present team after they clinched a rare test series victory outside the sub-continent with a 1-0 triumph in the West Indies.   

Rahul Dravid's side wrapped up the tense fourth and final test in Jamaica by 49 runs on Sunday after largely dominating the struggling Caribbean side in the series.   

It was India's first major test series victory outside the south Asian region since Kapil Dev skippered the team to a 2-0 triumph in England in 1986.   

The series win was also the first in the Caribbean for 35 years.   

Kapil led the praise on Monday, after millions of Indian fans sat up to watch the game on television until the early hours.   

"Winning is beautiful," he told Reuters. "The boys have finally tasted the feeling of winning abroad. I am very happy".

Despite their formidable home record, India has been criticised for a modest overseas record with a 4-1 upset in the preceding one-day series piling more pressure on the tourists.   

Since 1986, India's only test series success outside the sub-continent was last year''s 2-0 sweep against lowly Zimbabwe, with other best efforts being draws in England in 2002 and in Australia the following year.   

Kapil was among the former players who criticised the exclusion of young all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who played only one test after struggling in the one-dayers, and Harbhajan, who came in for the final two tests.   

"Realisation seemed to have dawned that Harbhajan and Anil (Kumble) should be played in tandem," Wadekar said.