India prepare to confront unknown in must-win Test

A new captain at a new Test venue against the reigning world champions promises to be quite the challenge

- Somshuvra Laha

India have been here but not done that. Overseas, yes — in England this year, Australia in 2020-21, South Africa as well this New Year's. ‘At home though, in a series as brief as this? Not since 2010, when they had lost to South Africa in the first Test at Nagpur by an innings and six runs, only to win the second Test at Eden Gardens by an innings and 57 runs.

The coincidence of the opposition won't be lost on India as they take fresh guard under a new captain in the easternmost Test venue on a pitch that looks good to hold for five days. Neither would be the urgency of winning this game because everything else will consign India to their second home series defeat in just over a , year.

They have to pull it off without Shubman Gill, nursing a neck injury that has necessitated rest and further medical assessments. That makes Rishabh Pant India’s fourth Test captain in the last 12 months, a stopgap arrangement no doubt but nevertheless another element of unknown in a game India would want to guess everything right in.