FIVE REASONS WHY INDIA LOST THE TEST SERIES AGAINST NEW ZEALAND

India, under Gautam Gambhir's coaching and Rohit Sharma's leadership, have fallen flat. They look suspect to pace and spin and lack consistency in batting or bowling. This is a major hindrance for a team that wants to go to Australia and win a third successive series Down Under...

The Indian cricket team’s dominance on home soil finally ended with a series defeat against New Zealand. After losing the Bengaluru Test, India were once again beaten inside three days in Pune. India last lost a Test series at home against England in 2012. However, looking back, the series saw India lose 2-1 (D1) in the four-match affair. Notably, India’s performance in that series was also better than what we have witnessed in the first two matches against the Kiwis. India have been outplayed by a nation that doesn’t boast solid numbers in Asia and just came off a 2-0 drubbing at the hands of Sri Lanka. One would have easily backed India to maintain their composure, having beaten Bangladesh recently. With the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 final at stake, topplaced India were backed to win at home and enhance their position in the top two before the five-Test tour of Australia.

What it has instead done is that the likes of South Africa and New Zealand have come into the fray and could vie for a berth alongside the Aussies. New Zealand, who play England at home next, can come to life and join the party. This Test series win is as big as it gets.

India, under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching and Rohit Sharma’s leadership, have fallen flat. They look suspect to pace and spin and lack consistency in batting or bowling. This is a major hindrance for a team that wants to go to Australia and win a third successive series Down Under.

Here, we decode five reasons why India lost the Test series at home versus the Kiwis.

1. ASSESSMENT GONE WRONG