India’s recent performance in Test cricket has been a cause for concern with six losses in their last eight matches. A rain-affected draw in Brisbane and a lone win in Perth were the only silver linings in an otherwise dismal run for India in the longest format of the game.
The Indian cricket team’s 1-3 defeat came after they were whitewashed by New Zealand in the three-match Test series at home, marking one of India’s worst spells since 2011-12, when they lost eight of 11 Tests – four each in England and Australia. , followed by VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid.
BCCI to consider tour of Australia as India’s Test woes mount
This time, Ravichandran has already retired during the Ashwin Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and there could be more departures after the 3-1 Test series defeat against Australia. Speculation also surrounds Rohit Sharma’s future in Test cricket. While Rohit has denied retirement rumours, his poor form and exclusion from the Sydney Test suggests otherwise.
Well, the upcoming BCCI Special General Meeting, where Devajit Saikia will take over as the new board secretary, will discuss the future of the team, including potential changes in management, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the team management. Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir and the selectors will soon sit down for a detailed review of the Australian tour.
Meanwhile, a BCCI official has confirmed that Rohit Sharma’s future in India’s Test team hangs in the balance after the loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. With India losing hope of reaching the WTC Final 2025, the pressure is mounting on the captain and he will be a central figure at the next SGM on Sunday, January 12.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar faces a tough call on Rohit Sharma’s Test career
The official also revealed that Rohit Sharma will now have to fight to regain his place or be dropped from the Test squad, but noted that all eyes are on chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his committee to make the call.
Hindustan Times quoted a BCCI official as saying, “Rohit was waiting to see if India could make a run to the WTC finals. Now it really depends on him whether to continue fighting for a place. But the decision is up to him. Ajit Agarkar and his selection committee.”
The Indian cricket team made many tactical mistakes against Australia, including playing Harshit Rana over Prasidh Krishna and choosing two spinners in a pace-friendly Sydney pitch instead of adding an extra pacer in the last Test. Due to these challenges, Rohit Sharma and the team management are under strict scrutiny.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma’s big role in Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury at SCG revealed
BCCI official reveals Gautam Gambhir’s position under scanner
Even before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, some Indian selectors claimed they had “no role” in the selection of pitches used for the New Zealand Test series. This has brought Gautam Gambhir’s role as India’s coach under scrutiny as his few white-ball strategies have struggled to translate into Test success.
Furthermore, India’s journey under Gautam Gambhir started with an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka, adding to the pressure. The home ODI series against England, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March, will be crucial for Gambhir’s tenure.
The board official also pointed out that India’s struggles started long before the Australian tour. The decision to prepare spin-friendly pitches at home, only to fail to deliver, was the first setback to hurt their chances of reaching the WTC final.
A board official said, “This is not just an Australian tour. The decision to go for the rank turners at home and then not deliver was the first blow that pushed India back in the race for the WTC final.
