A fair amount of focus will obviously be on Virat Kohli as the opening India-Sri Lanka Test beginning in Mohali from Friday will also be his 100th in the format.

But apart from that, the game marks Rohit Sharma’s first as India’s Test captain, while it will also be the first time India play a Test match without either Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane, who have been dropped for their prolonged lean patch.

In the absence of the experienced duo, the onus will be on the likes of Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer to provide necessary support to skipper Rohit and his predecessor Kohli. Of course, this Sri Lankan bowling attack, barring senior pacer Suranga Lakmal, isn’t really intimidating and lacks a bit of experience as well.

Having said that, the Indian team management has to be careful about ensuring there are no slip-ups or gross errors against this Dimuth Karunaratne-led Sri Lankan side, which is more of an unfamiliar foe for the hosts in the Test circuit.

Rohit said the younger group of batsmen would get the backing they need.

“It’s not one or two games, but I’m looking at them to play for a number of years and win games for India,” he said.

India will be finalising their combination before the toss, Rohit said. The Punjab Cricket Association Stadium pitch promises turn, which means India may include an extra spinner in the XI alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

“The pitch looks a bit dry. A typical Indian pitch… But definitely, there will be some turn,” Rohit said.

Match starts: 9.30am, live on Star Sports Network