After a dream start to the year in Australia and Pakistan, the Indian team touted as the best-ever took a deserved break to recharge their batteries for the busy schedule ahead.
The break, and the lack of preparation thereafter, however costed the team dear as they made a rusty comeback and were made to face the harsh realities of cricket.
The Indians were thrashed in Asia Cup by the Pakistanis and Sri Lankans, before they showed a glimmer of the resilience that had been the pivot of the team earlier in the year.
For an Indian supporter, it was an embarrassing performance by a much-feted batting line-up. But the Indians looked rusty throughout the tournament with their scratchy effort sneaking them a place in the finals.
But there too, a fast-improving Sri Lankan side proved to be more than a match.
While the Indians can be accused of lacking in nerve and heart, lets not take anything away from the controlled Sri Lankan performance in the field.