The dismal display by Rohit Sharma’s Indian Test team against New Zealand raises an unsettling question: has India, a former powerhouse in Test cricket, lost its competitive edge? This defeat at home — including the consecutive Test losses across Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai — highlights a troubling trend of inconsistency that has been increasingly evident in recent years. Some point to strategic failings under new coach Gautam Gambhir, while others argue the Indian players’ overwhelming focus on T20 and the lucrative IPL has dulled their Test-match discipline. But regardless of the root cause, the undeniable truth is that India’s standing in the World Test Championship is now in jeopardy. India has suffered home series losses before, from Gundappa Viswanath’s team against England in 1980, to Sachin Tendulkar’s squad against South Africa in 2000. And yet, each previous era of Indian cricket retained a certain spirit and a measure of resolve that seems to be missing today. As one of the world’s best Test teams, fans expect India to command home turf, especially with a batting lineup as formidable as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul. But this lineup’s failure to adapt to New Zealand’s clever use of spin and pace suggests deeper issues — perhaps, an overconfidence in the “home advantage” or a reluctance to refine their long-format strategies. New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel ruthlessly exposed India’s vulnerabilities, taking a stunning 25 wickets in the series, and leaving the Indian batting unit looking flat-footed and unprepared. What is most baffling, though, is India’s inability to learn from its mistakes after the first Test. The team repeated the same errors in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai, failing to counter New Zealand’s bowlers with any new tactics or resilience. The Indian side, once respected for its resilience against spin, faltered as New Zealand’s spinners outmaneuvered them — a shocking development for a team known historically for its skill against spin bowling.
While Rishabh Pant showed flashes of resistance, the lack of consistency from India’s star batters was glaring. Each loss was a reminder that without a focused, adaptable strategy, India’s talent alone is not enough to maintain a strong position in the World Test Championship. This predicament now places India in a tight corner: to qualify for the Championship, they must win at least four of their upcoming matches and draw another, a daunting task given the formidable Australian side waiting in the wings. Pat Cummins and his team are eager to end Australia’s decade-long losing streak in India, and they’ve made their intentions clear. If the Indian team’s recent performance is anything to go by, facing Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be a Herculean challenge. The Australians, led by a fierce bowling attack, won’t make it easy, especially with their own ambitions for the Championship on the line. For India, the stakes are higher than ever: the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar series could make or break their chances in the World Test Championship. It’s worth considering the impact of ODI and IPL T20 cricket on Indian players’ Test match aptitude. The financial allure of shorter formats has understandably attracted top players, but it may also have compromised their dedication to Test cricket. Long-format matches demand different skills: patience, tenacity, and the ability to wear down the opposition over several days. If the Indian team is to return to its former glory, it may need to recalibrate its priorities and rethink how much emphasis is placed on IPL-style play, which favours aggression over endurance. Looking beyond the New Zealand series, India’s journey to regain Test supremacy will require more than just victories; it will demand introspection, strategic clarity, and a willingness to adapt. The Australian challenge looms large, and the world is watching to see if India’s Test team can rise to the occasion or if this latest series is merely the start of a concerning decline. Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir must address the team’s recurring flaws if they are to inspire a revival. This defeat at home should serve as a wake-up call — not just for the players, but for Indian cricket as a whole. If India is serious about maintaining its legacy in Test cricket, then the time for change is now.