Crossword Genius

Perhaps Indian team’s heart’s back (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eastern

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'perhaps indian' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'team's heart's back' is the wordplay.
'team's' becomes 'crew's' (crew is a kind of team).
'heart's' indicates the central letters (I've seen 'heart of' mean this).
'back' becomes 'astern' (I've seen this before).
The centre of 'crews' is 'e'.
'e'+'astern'='EASTERN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eastern that I've seen before include "towards the sun" , "Possibly Japanese" , "towards daybreak?" , "Earnest (anag.)" , "See 11" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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