Video games require completing levels with skill, much like how India’s cricket team needed to overcome a transitional phase to reach new heights. Veterans like Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane were phasing out, leaving the team feeling stagnated and struggling both at home and away.
The turning point came during the Vizag Test against England. After a shock defeat in Hyderabad, India needed a transformation. The team could no longer rely solely on the Ashwin-Jadeja duo or Pujara and Virat Kohli’s batting to dominate. Enter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who, with only five Tests under his belt, scored a remarkable century, adding the needed character to the team. Jasprit Bumrah’s six-wicket haul and Shubman Gill’s century, combined with a strong second-innings bowling performance, led to a series-leveling win against England.
From 2013 to 2022, the team relied on patience and experience. However, in 2024, the team showcased aggression and ruthlessness, often dismantling the opposition within a session. In Rajkot, Mohammad Siraj’s reverse swing and Jaiswal’s double century decimated England. In Ranchi, Dhruv Jurel and Shubman Gill’s partnership led to a historic series win over England, even without Shami and Kohli.
This brings us to the present, where India completed a 2-0 whitewash over Bangladesh with dominant performances in Kanpur and Chennai.
India now faces upcoming challenges from New Zealand, Australia, and England. With a skilled yet limited pace bowling stock and 13-14 career-defining games ahead, Rohit Sharma’s men aim to achieve new milestones. Questions remain: Can they achieve a three-peat down under? Will they finally win the WTC title? Can they secure a Test series win in England in 2025?
In the words of the late Grant McFarland: “A happy ending is nothing but a new beginning.” For India, this new beginning includes conquering bigger fortresses and writing more history in the next 10 months as they embark on one of the most challenging phases in Test cricket.
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