The cricket sphere has been buzzing with opinions and critiques following India’s disappointing loss in the first Test against South Africa. The defeat has brought the Indian cricket team’s prowess in the longest format under scrutiny. The team’s track record in Tests, particularly in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, has been underwhelming since their historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory in 2020/21. Since the 2021/22 season, India’s Test wins in SENA countries have been sporadic—only one to their name—with three losses in South Africa, plus additional defeats in England. Fans and cricket experts alike are now questioning Rohit Sharma’s leadership capabilities, the team’s competitive spirit, and the suitability of certain players in the squad.
In the midst of various assessments and statements, former Indian cricketer and opener Kris Srikkanth delivered a scathing critique of the team’s current standing in different formats of the game. Via his YouTube channel, he readily acknowledged India’s competency in One Day Internationals (ODIs), but did not hold back on his opinions about their status in Tests and T20s.
“In T20 cricket India are highly over-rated. ODI cricket, we are a fantastic team. We falter at the semis and finals in ODIs, yet it’s often about one-off match dynamics and luck. I read Rohit Sharma’s statement about the 50-over World Cup being a milestone for cricketers, recognizing sometimes we underperform in knockout matches,” stated Srikkanth. He reaffirmed the nation’s standing in ODIs, “But we are a gun side in ODIs. No matter the venue—India, Australia, or South Africa—we perform.”
The former cricketer’s views on Test cricket were less favorable, “Test cricket, we are slightly overrated. We must recognize that there was a golden phase of about 2-4 years when Virat Kohli captained the team. During that time, we were exceptional. We dominated in England, we fought hard in South Africa, and we won in Australia. Now, it seems we’ve lost that edge, especially overseas,” he added.
With a challenging Test Series ahead, the pressure is mounting on head coach Rahul Dravid and the team. A loss in Cape Town, which has historically been an adverse venue for India, could further cement the belief that the team is in a downward spiral, possibly ushering in significant changes before their upcoming tour to Australia.
Though the Indian team has consistently made it to the finals of the World Test Championship, the much-coveted victory has remained elusive. Recouping from their innings defeat in the recent series opener will be critical for the two-time WTC finalists, as a 0-2 defeat at the hands of South Africa would be a serious blow to the team’s morale and standing in the international Test arena.
As the Indian team regroups for the test in Cape Town, the strategic moves and possible changes in the lineup are the subjects of heated discussions amongst fans and cricket connoisseurs. Only time will tell whether India can bounce back and restore their reputation as a formidable force in Test cricket, which they had cultivated under the captaincy of Virat Kohli.
