The Loss to Australia Signals Possible Demise of India's Esteemed Test Cricket Team Era
For India, there will persistently be a sense of what might have been. What if pacesetter/talisman/substitute captain – let's add in Superman as well – Jasprit Bumrah hadn't been sidelined due to a back injury?
On a challenging Sydney Cricket Ground surface he later labeled as the "spiciest" of the five-match series, Bumrah would have undeniably made the chase of 162 harder for Australia, who eventually secured victory in the fifth Test rather effortlessly by six wickets following some initial apprehension.
For such an engrossing and energetic series, which had captivated the nation and cricket enthusiasts worldwide, it was an underwhelming finale.
If only.
But, reiterating the tired joke that's been floated since Bumrah's health predicament came to light, Bumrah had single-handedly led India's bowling attack throughout the series until his body ultimately let him down.
Australia's superior depth in fast bowling essentially was the determining factor between the two teams. It's why Australia was favored heading into the series, and that's exactly what transpired on seaming surfaces, where batting was challenging and spin bowlers were effectively rendered obsolete and consequently impotent.
Five-Test series are now quite uncommon and primarily contested by those with the financial means - powers such as England, India, and Australia.
However, the allure of such a lengthy series lies in the fact that the outcome isn't necessarily sugarcoated, and that was the case here despite the contest fluctuating frequently.
A 3-1 result was a fair reflection, given Australia had generally been in control after their shaky display in the series-opener in Perth in their comeback to Test cricket following a prolonged hiatus.
It was the first time in a decade that India had lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with their players in this era having enjoyed the upper hand against Australia, their most passionate adversaries.
The elderly guard deserved a second chance, but it was a disappointing end for them in Australia. Ravi Ashwin retired mid-series, although at least he made way for renewal. There seemed to be something still left in the tank for Ashwin, but in a rare instance for an athlete, he decided to depart before things spiraled out of control.
That may not be said of his fellow legends. Captain Rohit Sharma couldn't even participate in the fifth Test, with his batting performance, which saw him become notably flustered, leading to a distinct change in his usually calm demeanor, while influential Virat Kohli was reduced to a small figure after consistently being baffled by Scott Boland.
Whether they continue to play Test cricket is uncertain, with whispers in the Indian press suggesting that Kohli wants to carry on until the 2027 World Cup. Perhaps Kohli can remain in ODI cricket, a format where he is one of the top three batters of all time. But his career in the unforgiving Test format, where flaws cannot be concealed, seems to be drawing to a close after such a taxing battle against Boland.
With the Sydney defeat marking the end of India's World Test Championship aspirations, India should put aside any sentimental feelings, even towards Kohli, who has practically attained divine status due to his fame and influence, and start anew before the next cycle commences with a grueling five-match away series against England.
India, at present, should regard this as the end of a season like in domestic sports leagues. It is time for them to allow highly talented, but underperforming, Shubman Gill to shoulder more responsibility in the top-order.
While Nitish Kumar Reddy, a breakout star in Australia, shares certain qualities with Kohli at the crease and it isn't challenging to visualize him inheriting the mantle as the next great batsman of India.
India's selection throughout the series left a lot to be desired, with Washington Sundar, a versatile batsman and spinner, essentially a squandered asset in the crucial matches in Melbourne and Sydney.
This hints at conservatism from India's hierarchy and the same can be said of holding back quick Prasidh Krishna until the fifth Test despite impressing in warm-up and intra-squad matches prior to the series.
India coach Gautam Gambhir is still relatively new in the role and it seems like he hasn't made his mark on the team yet.
Following handing the team a reprimand after the fourth Test, India appeared uncertain of how to proceed in Sydney. Attack or maintain discipline? They were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Rishabh Pant encapsulated this with a cautious approach in the first innings compared to his frenetic second inning.
There have been reports of discord within the Indian team throughout the series, given the squad spans multiple generations, and it's only natural that such fractures would widen further following six consecutive Test defeats.
Gambhir has a lot on his plate ahead of him, but making hard, unpopular decisions may just initiate the reset India desperately needs after losing ground in Australia.
In the realm of sports business, the absence of Jasprit Bumrah significantly impacted India's chances, as his dominance in the bowling attack might have made the team's chase more challenging.
Discussions around India's cricket team often intertwine with sports finance, and the 3-1 series loss to Australia saw India's hierarchy faced with criticisms for their somewhat conservative selection choices, such as holding back Prasidh Krishna and underutilizing Washington Sundar.
