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NEW DELHI: By losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 1-3, India did not qualify for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final scheduled for June 2025 at Lord’s.
The finalists are South Africa and Australia, both securing their spots through consistent performances during the WTC cycle.
But more than the series defeat in Australia, India’s chances of qualifying were hampered by the loss to New Zealand.
India’s inability to play spin on home tracks re-surfaced as they suffered the ignominy of being whitewashed at home for the first time in 24 years.
It was the first time that India had been whitewashed 0-3 in a home Test series.
The BlackCaps won 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 were bundled out for 46 runs – their lowest total at home.
New Zealand’s maiden series triumph in India, going back to 1955, also snapped the hosts’ home streak of 18 straight series triumphs since a 2-1 loss to England in 2012.
After their inability to play spin, Indian batters’ discomfort against seam bowling came to the fore against Australia.
Apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli and Nitish Kumar Reddy, none of the Indian batters hit a hundred in the five-match series.
And enough has been spoken and written about the meager returns for Rohit Sharma and Kohli in 2024.
Not just that, India didn’t have the bowling arsenal to support Jasprit Bumrah. Apart from him, none of the Indian bowlers registered a five-wicket haul in the series. Mohammed Siraj had one four-wicket haul but that wasn’t enough. Bumrah‘s absence from the Aussie run chase in Sydney was the glaring difference between victory and defeat.
Compared to this, Scott Boland returned as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood and took 21 wickets from three Tests to rattle the Indian batters, especially Kohli, having him caught behind the wicket repeatedly.
Then comes the leadership. Bumrah led India brilliantly in the first Test in Perth and almost single-handedly bowled India to victory.
Rohit Sharma’s return forced changes. Batting at No. 6 and then return to the top didn’t make any difference to his form. Instead, it had an adverse effect on the batting order. Opting out of the fifth Test proved too late.
On the other hand is Pat Cummins who finished the series as the second-highest wicket-taker (25).
Yet, India’s failure to qualify for the WTC final isn’t the end of the world.
The Indian team is currently undergoing transition, with some big names likely to be phased out before or during the next WTC cycle. This will present an opportunity for young talent to step up.
The series loss to Australia has highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in batting and seam bowling. India can use this experience to regroup and refine their strategy for future.
The next WTC cycle begins with India’s tour of England in June. This may mark a fresh start, and India can look forward to a new challenge and an opportunity to redeem themselves.
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