Three very unusual things are going to happen in Indian cricket this summer. First, at least three Indian players, and perhaps more, will play English county cricket, something which very few have done in recent years, given the round-the-year demands on Indian cricketers.

Second, between two and four Indian Test regulars will be included in the “India A” side touring England in the early part of the British summer.

And third, for the first time India will play a Test match without its first-choice eleven, as India take on Afghanistan on 14 June in the absence of five or six players who will find themselves in England – including their captain, Virat Kohli, who will be playing for Surrey that day instead of leading India.