What a difference three weeks make. At the end of July, it was Alastair Cook's Test place and captaincy on the line, with all the ex-captains in the media demanding his head. Well, that head has always been level and, with the support of Peter Moores, his family and the majority of spectators, Cook stood his ground, scored 95 and 70 not out at Southampton, and laid the foundations for a superb turnaround from 0-1 strugglers to commanding 3-1 winners of the Pataudi Trophy.
It's not all down to Cook, though. Senior bowlers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad led the attack with vim and vigour, Jos Buttler came into the side and has probably ensured Matt Prior's international retirement, Kevin Pietersen's successors Joe Root and Gary Ballance topped the runs table with more than 500 apiece, Moeen Ali's steady spin became feared more than his beard and The Oval offered Chrises Woakes and Jordan a share of the limelight, too.
Has there ever been a series which followed such a steady trend of performances? The Trent Bridge opener was a pitch-induced stalemate, but from the Ishant-Bhuvi-inspired Lord's triumph, it has been downhill all the way for India. The obvious question is why? Nothing boosts a side's confidence more than success. So what on earth prompted the dismal reversal of fortunes? India should have put the 2011 debacle behind them, recognised that England were after all beatable in their own backyard on helpful pitches, and built on the HQ result. Instead, previously promising batsmen like Vijay, Pujara, Dhawan and, in the last two matches, Rahane and the recalled Gambhir seemed to forget how to bat. They even made Moeen Ali look like a world-class spinner instead of the defensive 'filler' bowler he was until July 2014. MS Dhoni pretty much admitted it: all he had to was plonk it in the same place and wait for the mistakes.
Then there's Virat Kohli. Still only 25 but with almost 200 internationals under his belt, the successor to the Tendulkar mantle (no pressure!) proved a comlete flop from start to finish. 134 runs from ten innings and a highest score of 39 simply aren't good enough for such a key batsman. He has also become Anderson's 'bunny', a status which needs addressing. Even if he never faces the Burnley swinger again, there will be other pacemen like Steyn able to exploit Kohli's weaknesses in Test cricket.
The Anderson-Jadeja 'handbags' incident and pathetic trading of allegations and insults by the England and India authorities left a sour taste in the mouth but were in the event a mere sideshow to the cricket. The shenanigans seemed only to reinvigorate Anderson and his fellow bowlers, while India retreated into their shells. I don't approve of arrogant, foul-mouthed sportsmen but he bowled superbly and is now on the verge of becoming England's highest ever Test wicket taker.
England's only weak point was Sam Robson. The Australian's Middlesex form in 2013 and centuries for the Lions promoted him to the status of Cook's partner but he made just one half-century in the series. Actually, there were two. Ben Stokes, now with both wrists intact, was given two opportunities as an all-rounder. He took a few wickets but zero runs in three innings is a terrible total for such a promising batsman.
And so to India. Cook weathered his personal storm but now the pressure is on MS Dhoni. Having his pay docked for a slow over rate is a minor inconvenience compared to the criticism he and his side have received for their capitulation in the final three games, culminating in defeat by an innings and 244 in London. Had he not produced such doughty half-centuries himself, India's losing margins would have been even greater, but if he should fall on his sword, who on earth could replace him? At least he has the ODIs in which to re-establish his reputation.
As for England, they can at least hold their heads up high. Anderson's return of 25 wickets at 20 apiece was brilliant, while Root averaged over 100 for the series. Robson apart, all the squad did well, and poor Steve Finn and Simon Kerrigan will have to wait until next Spring at least for their Test returns. I feel for Yorkshire, too; they need to bolster their batting as from this summer's showing, Messrs Root and Ballance will both be on central contracts and become unfamiliar faces back at Headingley. Also, Essex will have Cook's appearances rationed just as much as before; don't be surprised if England zoom back up the ICC charts in 2015.
