India, July 7 -- The Edgbaston win has put a temporary lid on the debate about team selection, but picking the eleven is a challenge that pops up ahead of every game.

Test match action starts before the openers take guard and the umpire calls play. The day before is prep time, players are anxious students doing last minute revision of the syllabus. Following the 'process' is important, which means attend the team meeting, have a hit in the nets, do fitness drills, and mental exercises to soothe nerves. Then, early dinner and eight hours of sleep.

Pre-game, the team management is busy studying the pitch and deciding the playing eleven. The captain, coach and chief selector scratch their wise heads to pick the right combination based on c...