Sachin Tendulkar insists he is playing in the best India side ever after their rise to the top of the world rankings.
The legendary batsman's claim comes after Sunday's victory over Sri Lanka which saw India clinch the three-Test series and dislodge South Africa at the summit of the International Cricket Council's rankings.
The Mumbai result sees Tendulkar's side leap two places into top spot and the 36-year-old believes the current crop of players are the best India has produced of his 20 years in international cricket.
"It's been a long wait and I'm extremely delighted," Tendulkar said on ending the year as the ICC's world number one team. "I would not hesitate to say that this is the best team I have ever played with.
"If you look at the batting line-up, right from the number one batsman to the number seven batsman which is Mahendra Singh Dhoni spot, it's a solid line-up."
Teamwork
Bowling coach Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh were relieved of their duties in October this year which left the team without their services for the Test series against Sri Lanka.
But Tendulkar was keen to praise the duo, along with the other backroom staff for their role on India's success.
He added: "I think the process of getting to the number one spot really started when Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton took over along with Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh.
"The aim of the whole team then was to get to be the top in the world.
"All credit to Kirsten, he handled the team brilliantly and credit also to the other players who have been a part of this team over the last 18-20 months.
"They have all worked very hard and have been very focused."
Retirement?
Virender Sehwag, who set up India's victory with a blistering knock of 293, was named man of the match and man of the series and he, too, paid tribute to India's all-round team effort.
"This is a very good team and it's a team effort which has got us to the top," he said.
"I'm very lucky to be a part of this team and I hope we stay at the number one spot for a long time to come."
Meanwhile, Tendulkar insists he is not thinking about retiring from the game with the all-time leading run scorer maintaining his appetite for the sport has yet to diminish.
He added: "I've enjoyed playing the game and although a lot of people have been asking me about retirement, I haven't thought about it at all.
"I will continue to play as long as I enjoy the game."
