India, Aug. 14 -- There is a curious symmetry to India beginning this phase of their Test cycle in Galle. Last time they played a Test there, in 2017, Virat Kohli was captain, Rohit Sharma was waiting for his turn to become one, and R Ashwin was at the height of his craft. India won that match by 304 runs. It felt, at the time, like the sort of result that had become routine for them. Nearly nine years later, that is no longer the case.

That is why this Test, for all the World Test Championship arithmetic surrounding it, is also about something more than how they can reach the final. India are trying to work out what they look like without the men who gave their Test cricket its most recognisable shape.

Shubman Gill is at the centre of ...