Team India’s Test cricket performance has taken a nosedive. After a hot start to 2024, they’ve stumbled badly. Four losses in their last five matches, including a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home, have dropped them to third in the World Test Championship standings. Poor batting and inconsistent bowling are the main culprits.
Let’s dive into the numbers behind India’s recent struggles, comparing their current form to the dominant run earlier in the year.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
India started 2024 like a house on fire, winning seven of their first eight Test matches. This put them at the top of the World Test Championship table. However, their form has drastically dipped. This slump has jeopardised India’s chance for a third consecutive WTC final appearance.
India’s Test results so far in 2024: Matches 13 | Won 8 | Lost 5
The main culprit: Batting (Last 5 Tests)
The team’s batting has been a major letdown in the last five Tests. Only debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy averages over 40, with 163 runs at 54.33. The team has managed only three centuries in their last ten innings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal leads the scoring with 375 runs at 37.50, including one century and one fifty. Virat Kohli’s average is a meager 24, despite his unbeaten century in Perth. Captain Rohit Sharma has struggled mightily, averaging only 12.50 with a single half-century.
Is India’s batting now over dependent on Yashasvi Jaiswal?
Other key batsmen like Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill have shown glimpses of form, but their contributions haven’t been consistent enough.
Even Sarfaraz Khan, who scored a big century (150) against New Zealand, has added a mere 21 runs in his subsequent five innings. This highlights the inconsistency plaguing the Indian batting lineup.
The struggles of senior players like Rohit and Kohli are particularly concerning. Their inability to score consistently has put immense pressure on the younger batters.
Indian Batters in Last 5 Tests:
| Match | Innings | Runs | HS | Ave. | 100s | 50s | |
| Jaiswal | 5 | 10 | 375 | 161 | 37.50 | 1 | 2 |
| Pant | 5 | 10 | 348 | 99 | 34.80 | 0 | 3 |
| Kohli | 5 | 10 | 216 | 100* | 24.00 | 1 | 1 |
| Gill | 3 | 6 | 203 | 90 | 33.83 | 0 | 1 |
| Sarfaraz | 3 | 6 | 171 | 150 | 28.50 | 1 | 0 |
| Reddy | 2 | 4 | 163 | 42 | 54.33 | 0 | 0 |
| Rahul | 3 | 6 | 159 | 77 | 26.50 | 0 | 1 |
| Sundar | 3 | 6 | 122 | 38* | 30.50 | 0 | 0 |
| Jadeja | 3 | 6 | 105 | 42 | 17.50 | 0 | 0 |
| Rohit | 4 | 8 | 100 | 52 | 12.50 | 0 | 1 |
*Minimum 100 runs
The bowling department has also had its share of issues in the last five Tests.
Washington Sundar leads the wicket-takers list with 18 wickets at an impressive average of 15.27. However, his success is primarily due to his performances in India. Ravindra Jadeja, despite being the second-highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets, has been overlooked for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches.
India’s over dependence on Jasprit Bumrah visible in Adelaide
Jasprit Bumrah has been reliable, picking up 15 wickets at 17.46, proving his effectiveness both at home and overseas. Mohammed Siraj has performed decently in Mohammed Shami’s absence, claiming 11 wickets at 26.72. However, other bowlers, including veteran Ravichandran Ashwin, have struggled to make a significant impact. Ashwin has managed only 10 wickets at a disappointing average of 42.40.
Indian Bowlers in Last 5 Tests:
| Match | Innings | Wickets | BBI | Ave. | Econ | 5wh | |
| Sundar | 3 | 6 | 18 | 7/59 | 15.27 | 3.13 | 1 |
| Jadeja | 3 | 6 | 16 | 5/55 | 21.56 | 3.41 | 2 |
| Bumrah | 4 | 8 | 15 | 5/30 | 17.46 | 2.75 | 1 |
| Siraj | 4 | 7 | 11 | 4/98 | 26.72 | 3.50 | 0 |
| Ashwin | 4 | 7 | 10 | 3/63 | 42.40 | 3.65 | 0 |
*Minimum 10 wickets
The golden run: Five Tests before the slump
In stark contrast, India’s performance in the five Tests preceding this slump paints a completely different picture. They won all five matches, showcasing dominant performances with both bat and ball.
During that period, Jaiswal amassed 580 runs at an astonishing average of 72.50. Gill also shone with 455 runs at 65.00. Rohit Sharma, now struggling, averaged a respectable 39.11. Even Jadeja contributed significantly with the bat, averaging 39.50. Debuts from Sarfaraz and Dhruv Jurel were impressive, while Pant made a successful return with a century.
The bowling attack was equally potent during this winning streak. Ashwin was at his best, claiming 28 wickets at 18.92. Jadeja also excelled with 23 wickets at 17.21. Bumrah continued his wicket-taking spree. Kuldeep Yadav and Akash Deep provided valuable support. Even though Siraj, currently performing decently, had a leaner spell during this period.
How can India still qualify for World Test Championship final?
Top Performers during the golden run
Batting:
| Players | Match | Innings | Runs | HS | Ave. | 100s | 50s |
| Jaiswal | 5 | 9 | 580 | 214* | 72.50 | 1 | 5 |
| Gill | 5 | 9 | 455 | 119* | 65.00 | 2 | 2 |
| Rohit | 5 | 9 | 352 | 131 | 39.11 | 2 | 1 |
| Jadeja | 5 | 6 | 237 | 112 | 39.50 | 1 | 1 |
| Sarfaraz | 3 | 5 | 200 | 68* | 50.00 | 0 | 3 |
| Jurel | 3 | 4 | 190 | 90 | 63.33 | 0 | 1 |
| Pant | 2 | 4 | 161 | 109 | 53.66 | 1 | 0 |
| Ashwin | 5 | 5 | 152 | 113 | 30.40 | 1 | 0 |
| Rahul | 2 | 3 | 106 | 68 | 53.00 | 0 | 1 |
*Minimum 100 runs
Bowling:
| Players | Match | Innings | Wickets | BBI | Ave. | Econ | 5wh |
| Ashwin | 5 | 10 | 28 | 6/88 | 18.92 | 3.77 | 3 |
| Jadeja | 5 | 10 | 23 | 5/41 | 17.21 | 2.89 | 1 |
| Bumrah | 4 | 8 | 15 | 4/50 | 20.13 | 3.17 | 0 |
| Kuldeep | 3 | 6 | 15 | 5/72 | 16.80 | 3.06 | 1 |
| Siraj | 5 | 10 | 10 | 4/84 | 36.40 | 3.73 | 0 |
*Minimum 10 wickets
The stark difference in performance between these two phases underscores the extent of India’s recent decline. The team management faces a tough challenge to identify and rectify the issues plaguing both their batting and bowling.
The upcoming Gabba Test against Australia, starting Saturday, will be a crucial test of their ability to turn things around.
