With the Indian cricket team geared up for their busiest Test season, comprising 17 five-day games, skipper Virat Kohli aptly stated that the coming days will be an indicator as to how they have shaped up as a Test unit.
"This is the perfect situation and opportunity to challenge and assess ourselves as a Test team. These months will define how we play as a Test team in the coming years," Kohli said, at the pre-departure media conference ahead of team's tour of the West Indies.
Hailing Anil Kumble's appointment as the team's head coach, India's skipper said now they have a man who can also tell them how to win Test matches abroad.
"It is a huge boost for us that Anilbhai is our coach. Bowlers will feel more support due to his presence. Especially, as he is someone who has won so many matches for the country and knows what it requires to win matches both India and abroad," Kohli said.
He also pointed out how Kumble has brought a refreshing change to the team bonding sessions.
"Yesterday (Sunday), he arranged a team activity (the cricketers had a Drum Circle session with actor-musician Vasundhara Das's group) and it was fun. It was a surprise for us. Often, due to the rigours of international cricket, we forget about team bonding session.
"These sessions helps in build camaraderie, which shows on field. Even Dhonibhai, who came for the meeting (Roadmap) joined us and enjoyed the session," Kohli said, adding that India's limited-overs' captain also gave inputs on the tour ahead.
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's batting had been under scanner and KL Rahul is in the squad as the reserve 'keeper, but Kohli made it clear that it would be the Bengal lad who firmly remains the first-choice behind the stumps.
"Whenever KL Rahul has played he has filled in the opener's slot, but when it comes to keeping, Wriddhiman is our first-choice keeper. His batting has also improved a lot and we are backing him. In Test matches, when it comes to half-chances, you need a specialist 'keeper who can execute catches properly.
"A part-time 'keeper will find this situation harder. We will think about Rahul if Saha is injured, as then we will also have to make our middle-order strong," Kohli explained.
A 4-0 clean sweep against the West Indies can put India atop the ICC Test Rankings and Kohli was asked if that is something he and his team is aiming for.
"Our target is not to become No 1 in Tests. I don't think any team plays for the sake of rankings. The main goal is to play good cricket. Even if you are No 1 in rankings and don't play for a long time, you can become No 2 and you will have no control over it. All we can control is the kind of cricket we will be playing," he said.
"These things (rankings) are like by-products. It's an incentive for good performances and we can celebrate it. The aim is to execute our plans taking one Test match at a time. This is a big season and it will help us build a rhythm. Otherwise, you play two Tests and then don't play for six months, there is no rhythm."
Kohli also spoke about how the batting group has worked hard and is prepared for all eventualities, with specific skill practice, including countering reverse swing and playing sweep shots.
"From the last Test series (against South Africa), we have learnt a lot. We have addressed issues like not losing wickets just before or after the break. You would want to dominate the game and losing early wickets means that you are always playing a catch-up game."
