A force to be reckoned with at home, India's Test side have struggled away from the subcontinent in recent years and new head coach Anil Kumble's priority is to build a team that can travel with confidence.
Kumble, India's most-successful bowler, was given a one-year term on Thursday with the country's cricket board (BCCI) putting their faith in the 45-year-old despite his lack of coaching experience.
The BCCI received 57 applications, which were made available to an advisory panel that included former captains Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly and ex-batsman VVS Laxman - all of whom had played with Kumble.
Kumble has mentored the Mumbai and Bangalore teams in the Indian Premier League.
He said his first job interview was nerve-racking.
"It was very different because this was the first (job) interview that I was attending," Kumble said. "My colleagues who I have played with throughout my career were on the other side of the table.
"It was very strange."
While the Indian team under Virat Kohli won Test series in Sri Lanka and beat South Africa 3-0 at home, their record outside the subcontinent in the longest format has been poor.
They have lost series in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia on tours since late 2013, something Kumble wants to rectify.
"The focus will be on our overseas record," Kumble said. "The mindset ... I believe we need to start looking to address that from home itself.
"So when we sit down, we will look to make a plan and ensure that we train towards achieving those goals."
The Indian Test team will have a camp in Bengaluru before a four-Test series in the West Indies - Kumble's first assignment.
"It's nice to have a camp in Bengaluru. We will sit down and iron out our plans and be ready for West Indies," said the former legspinner, who took 619 wickets in 132 Tests and 337 from 271 ODIs.
"Getting 20 wickets in Test cricket will win you matches and that will be the focus," he said, adding he wanted to work in the background and take the pressure off his captain's shoulders, both on an off the field.
India are set for a bumper season at home with 13 Tests, eight ODIs and three T20s.
They start with three Tests against New Zealand in October while England and Australia will play five and four matches respectively.
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