Batting is more uncertain. With Rohit and Kohli gone - they had190 Tests between them - India faces not dents but gaping holes in experience. Yashasvi Jaiswal has emerged as the brightest batting hope, and KL Rahul remains a capable match-winner. Prolific run-making in domestic cricket has earned Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran spots in the squad and and Karun Nair a recall to international cricket. All of them are tipped to find places in the top order. But for India's batting to show match-winning heft, runs from the bats of Rishabh Pant, and - even more - Gill himself, are paramount. Captaincy in Test cricket brings not just immense power but also scrutiny. Gill will be judged not only on performance but also how he leads and inspires a transitioning side. Coach Gautam Gambhir, too, is under pressure, following big defeats last season to New Zealand and Australia. Indian cricket stands at an inflection point. Gill leads a team in flux. The path ahead is steep, but not uncharted. In 1971, India faced a similar crossroads. Then chairman of selectors Vijay Merchant, intent on rejuvenating Indian cricket, ushered in sweeping changes - using his casting vote to replace Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi with Ajit Wadekar as captain for the twin tours of the West Indies and England. India went on to win the first time ever in both countries, to make it an Indian Summer. Gill now has a chance to script a sequel.