With the Test series loss on Australian soil, the Indian team finds itself edging toward an unwelcome milestone. Whether at home or away, the losing streak persists. In the last 8 Test matches, Team India has faced 6 defeats, including a 0-3 'whitewash' against New Zealand at home. The pressing question now is: What will the future Team India look like? The performance of Indian batsmen during the Border-Gavaskar series has been under scrutiny. Examining those knocking on the doors of the Indian team, it is evident that the future concern for the team leans more towards bowling than batting.
Any decision regarding the Test team, however, will likely emerge as the domestic season concludes in February or before the June tour of England. India's next Test takes place in England in June. Reflecting on both batting and bowling post the Australia tour reveals crucial insights.
In the throes of a poor form, the Test futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hang in the balance. The national selection committee has several promising replacements for these two. However, when it comes to bowling, particularly fast bowling, the transitioning team doesn't appear overly promising. Developing bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma may take considerable time. While the current bowlers strive to deliver their best, their performances have yet to reach the closeness of these established names.
Truth be told, during the Australia tour, Bumrah lacked support from the other end, escalating his workload. Due to a back injury, he couldn't bowl in the decisive fifth Test's second innings. Had he been fully fit, Sydney's story might have unfolded differently. Despite playing 36 Tests, Mohammed Siraj hasn’t emerged as a match-changing bowler. Prasidh Krishna possesses notable pace, yet often falters in maintaining consistent line and length. Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar showcase skills but have lack of opportunities to prove themselves on a grander stage.
Source: aajtak
Even assessing domestic tournaments, especially the Ranji circuit, finds selectors bereft of strong options. The most glaring issue is the absence of a left-handed fast bowler. Arshdeep Singh has established himself in limited-overs formats yet has not showcased similar prowess with the red ball. Yash Dayal and Khaleel Ahmed too remain unable to render performances that instill confidence.
Looking towards batting, a commendable bench strength exists. Should the selection committee decide to oust Rohit and Kohli, or should they announce retirement, several batsmen stand ready to claim these two positions. Among the prime contenders is Tamil Nadu's Sai Sudharsan. The left-handed batsman caught attention playing for India-A against Australia-A in Mackay. However, he is presently undergoing rehabilitation post a sports hernia surgery. Another left-handed option in the team is Devdutt Padikkal, who has a few Test matches under his belt.
Abhimanyu Easwaran has been patiently waiting for three years. Yet within Indian cricket realms, it is believed he isn’t prepared for the challenges presented by SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. The recent series offers tangible evidence of this. Despite being with the squad, he was never a strong contender for the playing XI during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The shortcomings Sarfraz Khan faces against fast bowlers are well-known. His dismissals during the Pune and Mumbai home Tests against New Zealand have fueled concerns within the current team management. For a spot in the Test team, the three top contenders include Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar with three Test experiences, and Mumbai's Shreyas Iyer. Iyer struggles with short deliveries, while Patidar missed capitalizing on opportunities against England on home soil last year.
