NEW DELHI: By shedding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy collection 1-3, India didn’t qualify for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) ultimate scheduled for June 2025 at Lord’s.
The finalists are South Africa and Australiaeach securing their spots by constant performances throughout the WTC cycle.
But greater than the collection defeat in Australia, India’s probabilities of qualifying have been hampered by the loss to New Zealand.
India’s incapacity to play spin on dwelling tracks re-surfaced as they suffered the ignominy of being whitewashed at dwelling for the first time in 24 years.
It was the first time that India had been whitewashed 0-3 in a house Test collection.
The BlackCaps received the first Test in Bengaluru by 8 wickets, the second in Pune by 113 runs and the third in Mumbai by 25 runs.
In the Bengaluru Test, India have been bundled out for 46 runs – their lowest whole at dwelling.
New Zealand’s maiden collection triumph in India, going again to 1955, additionally snapped the hosts’ dwelling streak of 18 straight collection triumphs since a 2-1 loss to England in 2012.
After their incapacity to play spin, Indian batters’ discomfort in opposition to seam bowling got here to the fore in opposition to Australia.
Apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli and Nitish Kumar Reddy, none of the Indian batsmen hit 100 in the 5-match collection.
And sufficient has been spoken and written about the meager returns for Rohit Sharma and Kohli in 2024.
Not simply that, India did not have the bowling arsenal to assist Jasprit Bumrah. Apart from him, none of the Indian bowlers registered a 5-wicket haul in the collection. Mohammed Siraj had one 4-wicket haul however that wasn’t sufficient. Bumrah’s absence from the Aussie run chase in Sydney was the obtrusive distinction between victory and defeat.
Compared to this, Scott Boland returned as a substitute for Josh Hazlewood and took 21 wickets from three Tests to rattle the Indian batters, particularly Kohli, having him caught behind the wicket repeatedly.
Then comes the management. Bumrah led India brilliantly in the first Test in Perth and virtually single-handedly bowled India to victory.
Rohit Sharma’s return compelled modifications. Batting at no. 6 after which return to the high did not make any distinction to his kind. Instead, it had an opposed impact on the batting order. Opting out of the fifth Test proved too late.
On the different hand is Pat Cummins who completed the collection as the second-highest wicket-taker (25).
Yet, India’s failure to qualify for the WTC ultimate is not the finish of the world.
The Indian group is at the moment present process transition, with some huge names possible to be phased out earlier than or throughout the subsequent WTC cycle. This will current a chance for younger expertise to step up.
The collection loss to Australia has highlighted areas for enchancment, significantly in batting and seam bowling. India can use this expertise to regroup and refine their technique for future.
The subsequent WTC cycle begins with India’s tour of England in June. This might mark a contemporary begin, and India can look ahead to a brand new problem and a chance to redeem themselves.
