Why Test cricket in India is in trouble

Indian cricket fans are still reeling from a heartbreaking 1-3 defeat in the five-match Test series against Australia.

Once dominant in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with historic victories over the mighty Australians over the past decade, the tourists fell short, exposing weaknesses in a side long invincible.

The series highlighted some glaring issues – the Indian batsmen struggled, and jasprit bumrah He was the lone bowler to trouble Australia.

The loss not only cost India the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but also denied them a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, breaking their run of appearances in 2021 and 2023 where they lost to New Zealand and Australia respectively.

India’s recent form is worrying: they have lost six of their last eight Tests, including a dismal 0-3 at home. peel off against New Zealand.

The defeats have raised questions about the team’s depth, the future of key players like captain Rohit Sharma and former skipper Virat Kohli and their ability to rebuild.

With a team in transition and a fading force, Indian Test cricket faces serious challenges to maintain its legacy in an evolving landscape.

India’s next red-ball challenge is the five-Test series in England starting in July. The conditions in England, known for their dramatic changes even within a session, will test players’ technique, skills and adaptability to the limit.

India have not won a series in England since 2007, having managed just two wins before (1971, 1986), highlighting the daunting task ahead. Adding to the pressure, recent defeats against New Zealand and Australia leave selectors with tough decisions to make regarding player selection and team combinations for this critical campaign.

The biggest headache for the selectors is the form of batsmen Sharma and Kohli after their outings in Australia and earlier against New Zealand.

Sharma managed just 31 runs in the three Tests in Australia, and his poor form saw himself collapse by the last match. Kohli fared slightly better with 190 runs in nine innings, but his 100-run total came in a knock. His dismissals followed a pattern – slips or caught behind – indicating either a glaring technical error or mental fatigue under pressure.

Since January 2024, Sharma has managed just 619 runs in 16 Tests with a century. Kohli’s numbers have gotten worse over time – he has averaged just two centuries in 32 Tests since 2020.

Once a Test opener and fiery match-winner, Sharma is now struggling to find his ideal batting position. Meanwhile, Kohli’s surreal downfall – after a decade of dominance and arrogance – has left the former titan of cricket in a long slump.

From Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar to Kohli, the testament to the greatness of Indian batting has gone on flawlessly. But a worthy successor to Kohli remains elusive.

KL Rahul has class but lacks the appetite for consistent big scores. Rishabh Pant is an exciting maverick, equally capable of winning or losing a match. Shubman Gill, touted as the next big thing, has struggled overseas despite his undeniable pedigree and needs careful attention.

Punjab left-hander Abhishek Sharma, Yuvraj Singh’s mentor, is highly rated, and he impressed Nitish Kumar Reddy on his Australian debut with his fearless performances in tough conditions.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s top Test batsman in this series in Australia, has been a standout among the young batsmen. With grit, patience, technical assurance and explosive hitting, he looks poised to succeed Kohli as the team’s talisman.

India’s talent pool is overflowing in departments. Jasprit Bumrah, with 32 wickets against Australia, has cemented his status as a fast bowling colossus. Backed by the likes of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and a promising dozen quicks, India have tremendous pace for all formats.

That said, Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation talent and requires a careful workload. Overloading him, as in the Australian series, risks breakdowns that can hamper the attack. Shami, after long stints in rehab, also requires careful handling. Together, they form one of the most formidable pace duos in modern cricket.

With Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement and Ravindra Jadeja’s lukewarm display in Australia, India’s spin depth looks scarce. However, Washington Sundar has shown promise on home turf, while young spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Tanush Kotian, who have been included in Australia’s mid-series squad, are knocking on the doors of Test cricket.

In the wake of recent losses in New Zealand and Australia, the Indian cricket board is moving fast to begin a transition. The selectors have been directed to shortlist potential Test players for the second round of the Ranji Trophy, which resumes on January 23.

All the players, including Sharma and Kohli, are likely to be asked to play domestic cricket, a move that could help them regain form.

Managing a team in transition presents complex challenges that require patience, empathy and clear vision. Knee jerk reactions or external pressures can make the situation worse instead of providing solutions.

Whether Sharma and Kohli can overcome their crisis remains to be seen, but India’s wealth of talent should lift the current gloom surrounding Indian cricket.

It is to be recalled that in 2011, after winning the ODI World Cup, he whitewashed India 4-0 in the Test series against England and Australia. Cricket seemed to have hit rock bottom.

But within months, a revival led by Kohli, Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Jadeja, Ashwin and other young talents saw India rise to the top team in the world in all formats, holding that position for almost a decade.