In what can only be termed poetic justice, Marsh was run out one short of a century. And while Smith did end up with a win in the series, he did not gain many plaudits from observers of the game – except the most markedly partisan souls.

Of course, Australia would have won, even if the target was 326, the lead held overnight. India would have got close, but that's about it. Anyone who has followed Indian cricket for a decent period would know that.

There is one aspect about Test cricket these days that no captain can ignore. And that is that people want to see results. There was a time, decades ago, when people were prepared to watch for five days and go home satisfied with a dreary draw. They had no choice – that was all the cricket on offer.

But after one-day cricket came along, and more so after the advent of the Twenty20 game, the people who watch, either on television or at the ground, want a result. They would, of course, settle for a thriller of a draw as happened the last time South Africa visited, but meaningless declarations are not regarded kindly.

Smith gave India 70 overs in which to get 384. As a one-day target, it is a challenge – but then in one-day cricket one has the benefits of power plays, bowling restrictions and fielding restrictions, all of which aid the batting side. In Test cricket, there are no such things.