IND Vs NZ: BCCI Plans Tough Measures Following Series Whitewash
IND Vs NZ: BCCI Plans Tough Measures Following Series Whitewash
India’s recent series whitewash against New Zealand has upset the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), prompting them to take strict action. In the final Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India fell short in chasing 147 runs, marking their first home series whitewash in decades. The team’s struggles against spin bowling were evident, with senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failing to perform when it mattered most.
A PTI report suggests that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja may have played their last home Test together. Their future is expected to be assessed after the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
After the loss, head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen in a serious discussion with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, indicating that tough decisions may be on the horizon.
According to a BCCI source, there will be an assessment of the situation before the team departs for Australia on November 10. Even though the recent series was a major disappointment, there won’t be any changes as the Australia series is approaching and the squad has already been finalized. However, if India doesn’t make it to the World Test Championship final in England, it’s likely that the four senior players won’t be part of the upcoming five-Test series. It seems that their last Test together at home has already taken place.
India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final have become quite challenging after the series loss to New Zealand. To secure a spot in the final without relying on other results, Rohit Sharma’s team needs to achieve a 4-0 victory or better in the upcoming series in Australia. If they fail to do so, it’s likely that the selection committee will start considering younger players like Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal for the five-match series in England scheduled for 2025.
Washington Sundar has emerged as a key player, becoming India’s leading wicket-taker in the recent series, which positions him as a potential successor to Ravichandran Ashwin. Additionally, Axar Patel is seen as a long-term replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, with Manav Suthar also in the mix.
Rohit Sharma’s recent performance has raised concerns, with his average at home Tests being 37.81 from 35 innings, but his last 10 innings have been particularly troubling, featuring six scores under 10 and two under 20. Similarly, Virat Kohli has scored 742 runs at an average of 30.91 in 25 home innings, including one century.
While the pitches in Australia may be more conducive to batting, overcoming the self-doubt stemming from this recent humiliation will be a significant challenge. There are also speculations about Rohit Sharma’s future in Test cricket beyond this current WTC cycle.
