In the winter of 1993, a young batter in Rohtak or Cuttack would happily leave 80 balls outside off-stump before lunch, basking in the monastic pride of wearing down the opposition seamers.

Today, young players watch peers secure multi-crore contracts after a dazzling 18-ball 45 in the state T20 trophy. The incentive structure of the modern sport is undeniable. Yet without the 300-ball Ranji crucible, where does the mental granite come from when India is 36 for 4 in Leeds?