Team India gets whitewashed 0-3 by New Zealand; Virat-Rohit under scanner for poor performances
The numbers are concerning. In 10 innings, the captain Rohit Sharma has only scored 133 runs, whereas the ex-captain Virat Kohli has accumulated 192 runs.
Together, they only managed to score two half-centuries in five home Tests during the 2024 season. While India won against Bangladesh in a two-Test series, they struggled in their next series against New Zealand, losing 0-3 and revealing weaknesses not seen in years.
Not many expected India to be defeated in a Test series at home, especially not by New Zealand, a team that has faced challenges while playing on foreign grounds since the start of the World Test Championship in 2019.
A scoreline of 0-3 only increased the disbelief. New Zealand, under Tom Latham’s exceptional leadership, performed better than expected, surpassing India in every aspect of the game.
Also read: Mumbai Test: Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant help India gain crucial lead
In his post-match press conference, Rohit Sharma admitted he was not at his best, both as captain and as a batter. He faced tough questions and acknowledged that his tactical missteps may have contributed to the one-sided loss.
Moreover, India seemed to be strategically disadvantaged against New Zealand. The recently established leadership duo of Rohit and Gautam Gambhir has come under examination for decisions ranging from field placements to bowling changes and batting orders.
Kohli’s weakness against lest-arm spin
Kohli’s record against left-arm spin is worrisome, with an average of only 20.41 and 12 dismissals out of 58 since 2020. During the most recent home season, he was dismissed by left-arm spinners four times, once by Shakib Al Hasan and Ajaz Patel respectively, and twice by Mitchell Santner.
