Indian players in no mood for premature celebrations

The bane of Indian cricket over the past decade has been lack of consistency. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his boys are trying to buck the trend now.

Maybe that's why the players were in no mood for wild celebrations yesterday as they realise that the series is still not over.

Although there was the customary celebration in the dressing room as players collected souvenirs and memorabilia, the scene was quiet different when the team reached the hotel.

The players were busy doing their own thing and there was no party as such to celebrate the victory.

"We have won a match and not the series. So we are not yet in full celebration mood," a senior member of the side said.

"We understand that we have to play well in the all-important third Test. The Proteas will come hard at us.

"We will definitely have fun during the year-end party, but we have to get set for the battle in Cape Town."

VVS Laxman, man of the match at Durban, said, "All of us were extremely disappointed the way we lost the Centurion Test. We could have done better. Coming to Durban we were determined to play well in the second Test.

He said the plan was to be aggressive on the field, "while batting, bowling and fielding as well. We showed that the Indian team can play well on any wicket.

"The Durban win is very special for our team," he said, beaming.

The players were given an off on Thursday. Sachin Tendulkar along with Harbhajan Singh, however, left for Cape Town by a morning flight. Tendulkar will be celebrating the new year with his family as wife Anjali and kids Sara and Arjun will join in Cape Town. The other members of the squad will leave for Cape Town tomorrow morning.

As it was on off day, most of the other members of the squad got up late. A few players were seen trying their hand at the pool table while others were busy shopping.

The Delhi trio of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma was seen relaxing at Durban's picturesque North Beach.