India, May 13 -- The last time India lost two batting behemoths in one fell swoop was back in 2012, when Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman announced their retirements from Test cricket after an ill-fated tour of Australia. Between them, they boasted 297 caps, 22,046 runs and 53 centuries. Dravid called time on his career immediately on his return from Australia, Laxman followed suit several months later on the eve of a two-Test home series against New Zealand.

With Virat Kohli (58, 103 and 51*) leading the charge, India overcame Ross Taylor's competitive side 2-0, a wonderful chase of 261 in the second Test in Bengaluru, suggesting that the future of Indian Test batting was in competent, safe hands.

Now, nearly 13 (unlucky?) years on, India's...