OG Returns.

After a long hiatus, Test cricket returns. The last few months saw India lift the T20 World Cup at home, followed by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru outfit defending their Indian Premier League(IPL) trophy. Later in the summer, the defending T-20 World Cup champions were thrashed on British shores in the shortest format of the game. Before the thrashing in England and right after the IPL, India played a sole Test match against Afghanistan—an upcoming team—winning comfortably.

​It is no surprise that we are a team in transition in the red-ball setup as well. Led by the stylish Shubman Gill, who deservedly cemented his position in the famous number 4 slot and as captain after leading the young Indian side to a historic 2-2 drawn series in England last year, ushering in the beginning of a promising era under his regime. His prowess both as captain and as one of the best red-ball batters in recent times surfaced when, during his absence plagued by an injury, Indian red-ball cricket plummeted to a dismal performance in the subsequent home series against South Africa after the historic high in England at the peak of Bazball cricket, and against the West Indies at home.

We love our cricket.

​The team looked rudderless; the stand-in captain couldn't inspire the lads, and the coach seemed completely out of sync. Thank God for the World Cup victory a few months later and the much-hyped cricket carnival called the Indian Premier League—the tough questions were temporarily overshadowed.

​With less than a week to go before India plays on the dancing and turning tracks of Sri Lanka, here's hoping the leader of the pack stays fit and is able to motivate the team to reach greater heights.

​A chance at playing in the final of the ICC Test Championship for a record third time offers this young team a brilliant opportunity to showcase their mettle and strength, which they have earned from playing in front of huge crowds under heavy pressure, largely in the Indian Premier League.

​Experienced and seasoned players like KL, Pant, Jadeja, Bumrah, and Kuldeep, in the line-up led by the dynamic Gill, offer a great chance for the youngsters to shine and make the cricket-obsessed nation proud.

​We love our red-ball cricket. Watch out for Jaiswal. He has already proven his worth. Gill and Jaiswal should retire with 10,000 Test runs and over 36 Test centuries.

​Interesting times lie ahead.

PS: Writing this article took me down memory lane. I remembered my stints as an intern at top media houses across the country, covering local and national issues, as well as sports.