India have retained their No.1 Test ranking with a series win over Australia, but Virat Kohli knows the tag will stick better if his side start winning overseas.
India have won their most recent series against every Test-playing nation. Their 2-1 triumph represented a seventh straight Test series win.
However, they are yet to be truly tested in foreign conditions. That will come during upcoming trips to South Africa and England. India are set to tour Australia in 2018-19.
Kohli cited their lack of recent away series wins as the reason he was somewhat subdued after receiving prize money of $US1 million and the International Cricket Council's mace, awarded to the top-ranked Test side at the end of March.
"This is not the end of anything," Kohli said.
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"There's no point getting overexcited about what we have done. We are very happy about being the No.1 team in the world.
"But out main challenge begins now.
"If we can conquer the overseas season, that's when you will see a broader smile on my face."
Coach Anil Kumble echoed Kohli's sentiment, adding that the rise and rise of paceman Umesh Yadav and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja would boost the side's belief outside the subcontinent.
"With this kind of line-up and the lower-order contributions, I don't see any reason why we can't go abroad and start winning," Kumble said.
"Once you have bowlers who can pick up 20 wickets in any conditions (you can win overseas) ... the batting has always been good."
Kumble admitted adoption of the Decision Review System (DRS) had benefited his side during a tense series against Australia.
"That certainly has helped," Kumble said, having played a pivotal role in ending the Board of Control for Cricket in India's resistance to DRS.
"We've done it exceptionally well. It's certainly gone our way."
Kohli remains bothered by his shoulder injury and is set to miss next week's Indian Premier League season opener.
"It (shoulder) is not fine as of now. I don't know exactly. The physio will give an official statement soon," he said.
