India are slowly but steadily becoming like the coolest things in the world: Batmans gadgets.The comics, cartoons, graphic novels and movies take a unanimous stand in depicting them as some of the most resourceful tools ever imagined. It may be too soon to confirm that Virat Kohli and his men could be seen in much the same way. Just as it would be improper not to give them credit for the tough Test cricket they have played since their tour of Australia in 2014-15. Four multi-match Test series played, four series won. And, now, an unassailable lead in the fifth.The way India have gone 2-0 up after three of the five matches against England bears repeating. They lost the toss, their first-choice opener, and the first hour of play in Mohali. They rallied to keep the opposition well under par - Alastair Cook wanted 400, he was stuck with 283. They were patient against high-class bowling. They showed the wherewithal to fight back from a bad situation - 156 for 5 - and finish in a position of dominance - 417. The spinners excelled. The fast bowlers made an impact. And all of this was done on a pitch which wasnt a rank turner. India becoming capable of such performances is the result of the depth in their side.R Ashwin has found a way to make ordinary cricket balls behave like batarangs: going one way for a distance, lulling the enemy into a false sense of security and then taking him out. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav have been fast. Theyve been mean, bouncing batsmen out and harnessing both conventional and reverse swing. They have even stolen the show. Just like a couple of Batmobiles. And then there is Kohli himself. Larger than life. Doing unexplainable things. Always up for a fight. He is this teams Batman. Anil Kumble, of course, is Alfred.An important factor in Indias success is how they have been capable of having and executing plans - and more pertinently, theyve only had to go as far as plans A and B.For example, all the bowlers have tried to probe for Cooks outside edge. The England captain has reacquainted himself with the off stump since his slump in form a few years ago, and so may not be the most forthcoming to nick off to the slips. However, by setting up a routine where Cook keeps dragging his front foot across, he has ended up vulnerable to the ball coming back in. In these cases, the bat would have to come around the pad a little bit, which creates a gap that Shami and Ashwin have both exploited in this series. India are trying not to be desperate for wickets. They work for them, intelligently and relentlessly. The spinners keep the runs down and the pressure up. The quicks make it a point to be as hostile as possible. All of it culminates in the batsman feeling he has nowhere to go but back to the pavilion.Its great to have the seamers bowl in short bursts, Kohli said. You know, bowl with pace, rather than long spells in the heat. Having quality spinners obviously helps the fast bowlers to stay fresh and come in for those quick spells of three-four overs and try to create opportunities. It has to be done in partnerships, and I think they are combining really well.The batsmen, especially the lower order, have profited by the simplest of methods as well: making sure they stay at the crease.There is no magic as such, Ravindra Jadeja, who comes in at No. 7 or 8, said. The simple thing is that we are focussing more. In the nets, we give ourselves more batting time. We speak to the batting coach a lot and, mentally, we are prepared to take responsibility and try to bat well in difficult situations.That India have not been harassed into digging into their contingencies shows an increase in their skills level. They havent let England get on a roll since the Rajkot draw. They havent panicked. Jos Buttler tried to instigate some panic in the second innings in Mohali, but, sensing his aggression, India made a bowling change - Jayant Yadav - and installed a man on the wide long-on boundary - Jadeja, one of their best fielders - and piggy-backed on Buttlers aggression towards victory.India have met many challenges over the last two years, barring, of course, the dreaded overseas tour where the pitches aid fast bowling. Good stories, though, build up to a clash with the arch enemy.While it seems imprudent to pitch a 13-Test home season, or for that matter the series wins over South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies, as fillers for the climax, it is also impossible not to. Success away from their own shores is what the fans are demanding; it is the caveat that has tagged along with every praise India have earned. This squad, though, gives Kohli plenty of options, and he has shown an ability as captain to enhance their threat. It doesnt seem too outlandish to think that things will change come the next tour. Steven Adams Jersey . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Corey Brewer Jersey . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. 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The Steven Stamkos sweepstakes didnt even reach the official start of NHL free agency.The Tampa Bay Lightning?signed their star captain to an eight-year deal Wednesday, keeping him off the market two days before free agency begins.?I am excited to move forward with the Lightning today for the next eight years, Stamkos said in a statement. Its not often that a player gets the chance to spend his career in one organization and I am hopeful that this agreement sets me on that path with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Most importantly, I look forward to working with my teammates, coaches and our management in our pursuit of winning a Stanley Cup.An NHL source said the contract is worth an average of $8.5 million annually. Only $1 million per year of that, however, is in pure salary; the rest is payable in signing bonuses. The deal also includes a full no-movement clause for all eight seasons, a source said.?We were just in a little group chat with the boys, and were all just so excited, so happy that hes coming back, Lightning veteran Brian Boyle said. Obviously, its been probably a process for him, but it just shows you the character he has and the kind of guy he is and what he really wanted. We couldnt be more thrilled to have him back. Hes our captain, our leader.Stamkos has spent his entire eight-year career with the Lightning, who drafted him No. 1 overall in 2008. He has scored 312 goals in 569 games since beginning his career in 2008-09, second only to Alex Ovechkin (362) over that span. He has averaged 0.55 goals per game in his career.The Markham, Ontario, native is a four-time All-Star and has led the Lightning in goals in six of the past seven seasons, including two seasons of 50 or more goals: 51 in 2009-10 and 60 in 2011-12.?Stamkos was the rare franchise player set to hit free agency after contract talks with the Lightning extended into this weeks interview window, and the interest in him was intense. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens were all expected to be in on Stamkos when he hit frree agency Friday, but his desire to win a Stanley Cup with the team that drafted him won out.ddddddddddddWe are very appreciative of the effort and commitment that Steven and his representatives have exhibited in getting a deal done, GM Steve Yzerman said. We are excited to have him as a cornerstone part of the team for the next eight years as we continue in the franchises ultimate goal of winning another Stanley Cup.The Lightning advanced to the Stanley Cup finals in 2015. This spring, with Stamkos out recovering from a blood clot, they reached the Eastern Conference finals, falling to the?Pittsburgh Penguins?in seven games. Of all his?suitors, Tampa Bay was probably the closest to being a legitimate Stanley Cup contender in the short term.He has an opportunity, a rare opportunity, to go into free agency at such a young age, and obviously, he had a lot of suitors, a lot of dollar signs pointing at him, but what he wants to do is he wants to win, Boyle said. He takes being a captain very seriously, and he wants to win. He showed it in Game 7 against the Penguins, coming back and playing. He showed what a captain, a leader, a guy of high character should do. If hes leading the way, you better fall in line because thats the way things are going to go. Its a great strength of our team, and it goes to show you how strong of a character guy he is, and he makes everybody else better for it.?Stamkos was the focus for Yzerman,?but Yzermans work is just starting. The Lightning still need to sign restricted free agent Nikita Kucherov, who had a breakout postseason during Stamkos absence.There is also speculation that the Lightning might need to trade a goalie, with Bishop the most likely candidate.On Friday, the Lightning also can sign franchise defenseman Victor Hedman to a contract extension.It makes for a busy offseason for Yzerman, but the most challenging deal is done.Information from ESPNs Joe McDonald and Pierre LeBrun was used in this report. ' ' '