THE stories of grand homecoming of the victorious Indian cricketers from Australia offer a wonderful peep into their upbringing and culture. A young bowler, who stayed back in Australia for the team despite his father’s death, walking straight to the departed soul’s grave after landing home stirs the heart. The enormity of the success Mohd Siraj achieved in one of the toughest tours is not lost on the bowler but his ability to remain rooted in reality warms the cockles of the heart. The triumphant Indian captain, Ajinkya Rahane, accepting the welcome of his housing society members in his regular modest way, refusing to cut a cake which had a Kangaroo made on it makes one extremely proud. The high of a historic victory had failed to sway Rahane as he politely declined the cake because it had Australia’s national animal depicted as an edible item. This rich culture is the essence of India and will remain the bedrock for the society even as it takes giant strides in every field. The Indian cricket team continues to delight us with such gestures, looking common in their appearance but totally steeped in humility with no disrespect to the fallen opponent. If this is the new India Virat Kohli was talking about, then it is most welcome.