Australian captain Ricky Ponting said last night his team had the talent in the bank to remain the most feared unit in world cricket.
The retirements of champions Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and now Adam Gilchrist have some nations believing Australia's reign will soon be over, but Ponting has different thoughts after his team drew the fourth and final Test against India in Adelaide to claim a 2-1 series win.
Australia remains at least 30 points clear of nearest rival India on the International Cricket Council's points table after retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"It's all reliant on how well we play, obviously, but I think we have enough talent around Australia to maintain our No. 1 ranking in Test cricket," Ponting said.
"It really just comes down to big moments in Test matches and big moments in Test series.
"Pretty much right through this summer, we have won most of those moments. It's about how we adapt and adjust from this moment that will determine the team we are."
Ponting continued the mind games that have peppered this Test series when he questioned India's validity as a challenger for the No. 1 spot.
The skipper said Australia had already adjusted to the loss of Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, McGrath and Warne. He suggested India faced a dip in standing as batting legends Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly and leg-spinner Anil Kumble faded from the international scene.
"Even though they are the No. 2-ranked team, they are probably not now. They are going to lose probably four or five of their best players by the time we next play them," said Ponting, lauding the seamless transition of Phil Jaques and Mitchell Johnson into his side.
"They are going through a similar phase to what we have gone through over the past 12 months. It will be interesting to see how their team backs up from that. They have some rebuilding to go through."
Kumble hit back at Ponting's comments, adamant India had left a legacy of achievement and a blueprint for success on the next tour of Australia.
"Certainly you have a few people who might not be part of the Test squad, but I am confident the transition will happen and that we will compete well," Kumble said.
"They will come here with a confidence they can win the (four-Test) series (in October)," Kumble said.
The Indian captain said his unit had matched Australia pound for pound and deserves to be viewed as top challenger for the world No. 1 spot.
"I think we have stepped up to their level. We are really happy with what we have been able to do over here," Kumble said. "It is only India that has come here, competed with and beaten Australia here in the last four years.
"The last time we played here we had a good opportunity to win at the SCG and we did also this time. I wish we were able to hang on for those eight or so minutes in Sydney."
While Ponting is confident the Australian side can continue winning ways, the reality is life may never be the same for a team that has dominated the cricketing world.
A major concern is the frontline spinning role as Brad Hogg has perhaps played his last Test.
The wrist-spinner finished with match figures of 2-171 in Adelaide, and eight wickets at 60.12 for the series.
What was particularly damning was that he was not used in the final 17 overs on Sunday when India began its second innings. It was in this type of situation that Warne thrived.
Another worry is leg-spinner Stuart MacGill is no certainty to return from injury, while there is no young talent ready to step up to international level.
Ponting said part-timers Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke might have to play greater roles.
"It's an interesting one that. Symonds and Clarke did a pretty good job for us in that department. Symonds, especially late in the game, looked as dangerous as their spinners did," Ponting said.
"Michael Clarke only won us a Test in Sydney a few weeks ago, so may be it comes down to me relying on them a bit more.
"I don't think Brad has let anybody down right through this series. He is probably disappointed coming out of this game because Adelaide generally does favour the spinners a little bit, but their spinners had little impact."
Ponting praised the efforts of new boys Jaques and Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee's exceptional bowling.
"I think the way we have covered for the four (retirees) from last summer was exceptional," Ponting said.
Ponting admitted his chronic back injury, which forced him from the field in Adelaide, was a problem. He is in doubt for the Twenty20 match against India at the MCG on Friday.
- JON PIERIK and RICHARD EARLE