India’s T20 World Cup victory in June marked a significant achievement, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC title. Following the win, Team India continued to perform well in T20Is, losing just one match since the triumph. Players like Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy have displayed consistent performances, with the standout being Tilak Varma, who impressed with back-to-back centuries in South Africa. Despite these successes, India’s performances in ODIs and Tests in 2024 have been disappointing.

In ODIs, India suffered a 0-2 series loss to Sri Lanka in Colombo, which raised concerns about their vulnerability against spin bowling. Though Sri Lanka’s spinners weren’t world-class, India’s batting lineup, known for its strength, failed to cope with the conditions. This loss, alongside an unsuccessful Sri Lanka tour for newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, revealed India’s struggles in 50-over cricket.

The Test series against New Zealand at home further exposed India’s weaknesses. India lost 0-3, marking their first home Test series loss in 12 years. The team faltered against disciplined spin bowling, with notable failures from key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. India’s strategy of preparing turners backfired, and New Zealand’s spin attack took full advantage.

Looking ahead, with key players like Ravichandran Ashwin retiring and uncertainty over the future of seniors like Kohli and Jadeja, India must rely on young talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar to rise to the challenge in red-ball cricket.