India's recent Test success, which has seen them usurp all major nations (except Pakistan), over a two-year period, has been built around the simple principle of giving themselves the best chance to take 20 wickets. A corollary of that has been the selection of a bowling quintet under Virat Kohli, instead of a sixth batsman that most of his predecessors had a predilection for.

India's Wriddhiman Saha during his 29 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata last week. Pic/AFP