The Collapse of Indian Cricket in last 2 test series: Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 and New Zealand Vs India (India's first home Test series defeat in 12 years) A Wake-up Call

On December 30th, 2024, the Indian cricket team suffered a crushing defeat in the third Test match against Australia. This loss, however, is not just another setback in Indian cricket's storied history. It symbolizes a deeper issue that has plagued the team for years: a system where politics, groupism, and self-interest reign over performance and team spirit. India, once a cricketing powerhouse, now faces a crisis on multiple fronts. Despite having some of the best players in the world, the Indian cricket team has increasingly become a microcosm of the country’s internal struggles. There are players, coaches, and board officials who prioritize their personal agendas over the game, and this is showing in the results.

Indian cricket desperately needs a change in its approach to performance. A player’s position should not be determined by seniority or past achievements but by their current form and contribution to the team. The days of allowing players who score only 20-30 runs in an innings to remain in the team due to their reputation are over. Batsmen who cannot consistently score more than 50 runs per innings and bowlers who fail to take at least 3 wickets in a match should not be part of the Test squad. They need to be sent back to domestic cricket, where they can prove themselves once again. Local tournaments should act as a platform to build new talent and bring back the lost glory of Indian cricket.

The Sentiments of Ordinary Fans: What hurts the most is the suffering of ordinary fans who support the Indian cricket team with unwavering passion. Every time the team loses, they feel the pain deeply, and yet, the issues within the team seem to go unaddressed. Fans are disillusioned, watching as their heroes’ squabble and underperform. They deserve better. It is not just the players or the coaches who need to take responsibility; the BCCI needs to realize that the public’s faith in the team is slowly eroding. Disputes between players, coaches, and the board should not take precedence over the well-being of the team and its supporters.

The Politics Behind the Scenes: The biggest issue facing the Indian team today is the overpowering influence of politics. A game that once brought people together is now being torn apart by internal strife. Players are chosen not based on merit but based on their connections within the BCCI or their political affiliations. The selection process has been undermined by favoritism, with key positions often being awarded to those who are politically connected, rather than the best performers.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, who have all had stellar careers in the past, have become symbols of this political system. While they are undoubtedly legends in their own right, their continued presence in the team has become more about legacy and influence than actual performance. It is time for a new generation to take over, and for these players to retire from Test cricket. They’ve had their time; now, it’s time for the team to evolve.

A Team Divided and the Breakdown of Team Spirit: One of the most shocking aspects of the Indian team’s loss to Australia was the complete lack of team spirit. There were visible divisions among players, with some seemingly playing for their own individual records rather than for the success of the team. Instead of showing unity, they were caught up in their personal differences. This fractured approach is damaging, and it is not just on the field; off-field politics and personal rivalries have made their way into the dressing room. The recent years have shown that the Indian cricket team lacks the camaraderie required for sustained success. A team cannot function when players are competing against one another instead of working towards a common goal.

The Blight of Money and Match-Fixing: The commercialization of cricket has brought in a flood of money, but it has also corrupted the game. The lure of large sums from IPL contracts and endorsements has taken the focus away from Test cricket, where the stakes are higher, but the rewards are more subtle and long-term. Many players seem more interested in earning huge contracts than in giving their best for the national team. In this environment, rumors of match-fixing have started to surface. While there is no concrete evidence yet, the lack of transparency and accountability within the Indian cricket board only fuels these suspicions. The money flowing into the game has made it vulnerable to manipulation, and it’s high time that the authorities took strong measures to clean up the system.

The Role of the Coach and BCCI: Another glaring issue is the lack of vision and leadership from the coach and the BCCI. The current coach has failed to inspire the team or create an environment of competitiveness and growth. Cricket boards across the world must understand that coaching is about more than just strategy. It’s about creating a team culture, motivating players, and keeping them focused on the bigger picture. Anyone, literally anyone, could do better than the current coach of the Indian team, who seems to have lost his connection with the players and the game. The BCCI, too, has failed to put a system in place that nurtures talent and promotes healthy competition.

Cricket: A Gentleman’s Game: At the heart of all this chaos is a simple truth: cricket is supposed to be a gentleman’s game. The values of integrity, hard work, and respect should be at the core of the sport. However, over the years, commercial interests, personal egos, and internal politics have corrupted the very essence of the game. The BCCI and cricket boards across the world must remember that cricket is about fair competition, teamwork, and respecting the spirit of the game. It is time for a change—time for the Indian team to move forward, with a fresh mindset, new blood, and a commitment to the game above all else. The truth is undeniable: Indian cricket needs to reinvent itself. And this loss to Australia might just be the turning point.