India, Dec. 18 -- It's been a season of own goals so far as Indian cricket is concerned. It started with the appointment of Shubman Gill as captain of the One-Day International side and a recall with the vice-captaincy thrown in to the Twenty20 International side which has coincided with - one is not sure if 'catalysed' by - his poor form in the 20-over game. Gill was just about beginning to settle into his new role as skipper of the Test team when the additional responsibilities were thrust on his young shoulders. With rapidly changing formats and different time zones greeting his ascension to the throne, the all-format captain-in-waiting has been in the wars, physically and run-wise.

Own goal No. 1 was backed up by the ill-advised deci...