India’s dream of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final has come to an end. After reaching the finals in 2021 and 2023, they hoped for a third consecutive appearance, but things did not go as planned. In 2021, India lost to New Zealand in the final, and in 2023, Australia won. Now, with the 2027 WTC cycle set to begin with the England tour in June 2025, India is struggling in Test cricket.

India suffered heavy defeats in both home and away series. They were clean-swept by New Zealand at home, and on the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia, they lost 3-1. These poor performances show that India needs to make some big changes to avoid future defeats and make a strong comeback in the upcoming WTC cycle.

Here are three big changes India must make:

 Pick Performers Over Big Names

India has long relied on star players, but it’s time to focus on current form, not past reputations. Even legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have been pillars of the team, need to be evaluated on their recent performances.

• Virat Kohli’s Dip: Kohli, once known for his incredible consistency, has seen his Test average drop from 57 in 2019 to 46 in 2024-25. While his past achievements are remarkable, India can’t afford to carry players who are no longer at their best.

• Rohit Sharma’s Struggles: As captain, Rohit struggled in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring just 31 runs in 3 matches at an average of 6. He even benched himself in Sydney, understanding the issue, but tough decisions are needed moving forward.

Players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul also need to prove their worth. Gill averages in the mid-30s after 35 Tests and has not scored a century overseas. Rahul, with a decade of experience, has only 8 Test centuries.

India should prioritize players based on form, not reputation. Young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy should be groomed to replace senior players, but they too must perform consistently. Senior players nearing retirement should be phased out while helping guide younger players during the transition.

Play with 5 specialist bowlers

India’s current strategy of playing 3 bowlers and using all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy as backup bowlers is not working. Test cricket needs a strong bowling unit to take 20 wickets in a match, which is key to winning.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were the only consistent bowlers, but the team lacked a reliable third pacer. Using all-rounders in key bowling roles weakened the attack and allowed the opposition to score freely.

What India Should Do:

• Play 5 specialist bowlers in every Test match.

• Have at least one all-rounder who can support the bowling attack without compromising its strength.

• Train and groom new pacers like Prasidh Krishna to build a strong bowling lineup.

Read Also: .Virat Kohli Aspires to Be Interim Test Captain for Transition Phase and Desires to Play Till 2027

Build a Strong Batting Unit

India’s batting problems were clear in the last eight Tests (3 against New Zealand and 5 in Australia). In these 16 innings, the team only managed to score over 300 runs three times, which is crucial in modern Test cricket.

Key Issues:

• India has become too reliant on a few players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Rishabh Pant. While they have shown potential, more consistent contributions are needed from others.

• There is also a lack of partnerships, with players failing to convert their starts into big scores. A solid partnership is key to building a competitive total, but this has been missing in recent matches.

• Poor performances from senior players and inconsistency in the middle order have made it harder to maintain a strong batting lineup, leading to failures in crucial moments.

The Solution:

• India needs to develop a batting lineup where every player takes responsibility for the team’s success. Players should work together to ensure consistent performance rather than relying on a few individuals.

• Emerging talent should be nurtured. Players like Jaiswal and Reddy have shown promise but need support and opportunities to grow.

• Emphasizing partnerships is crucial. Batters should be trained to work together, building up runs and helping the team post competitive totals, especially in challenging conditions.

• Improving batting techniques, particularly for overseas conditions, is essential. Indian batsmen need to adapt better when playing outside of India, where they have struggled in recent matches.

Read Also: Gautam Gambhir Likely to Step Down as India Head Coach Due to Poor Team Performance and Player Concerns

India’s recent defeats in Test cricket show the need for big changes. Picking players based on performance, strengthening the bowling attack, and fixing the batting problems are all crucial steps.

Test cricket is a team game. To succeed, everyone needs to contribute, and the team needs better planning. If these changes are made, India can bounce back, dominate Test cricket again, and have a strong run in the WTC 2025.