India, Jan. 10 -- These are uneasy times for India's Test team. Except for a drawn series in England last summer, it's been a forgettable period. Teams used to dread touring India because of its spin strength. Not anymore.

In October-November 2024, New Zealand defied the odds to blank the Rohit Sharma-led side 3-0. Soon after, Australia avenged their back-to-back home series defeats with a comprehensive win.

It led to Rohit losing his captaincy and retiring from Tests. The selectors took a punt on young Shubman Gill, under whom India made a promising start in England, sharing honours at the end of a thrilling five-Test contest. An easy home win over West Indies followed. The gains of the England tour, however, were squandered when South...