BCCI Urged to Prioritize Test Cricket Amidst Recent Losses, Despite T20 Success

The BCCI is facing calls to address India's struggling Test cricket form, with critics arguing that success in T20s shouldn't overshadow the need to improve in the longer format. This comes after a string of series losses, including defeats against South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The team also drew a five-match series against England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Following the recent loss to South Africa in Kolkata and Guwahati, concerns have resurfaced about the Indian batting lineup's vulnerability against spin bowling, highlighted by Simon Harmer's impactful performance. While Shubman Gill's absence due to a neck injury was noted, it doesn't fully explain the team's inability to chase a target of 124 in the first Test at Eden Gardens.

Sanjay Manjrekar emphasized on X (formerly Twitter) that Test cricket remains a crucial indicator of a nation's cricketing health and should be prioritized, even with achievements in limited-overs formats. He stated, "Test cricket may not be the most popular format today but it’s results linger. Ind may have won the ODI & T20 series v SA but it’s 2-0 defeat in Tests still lingers. Tests results reveal the true health of a nation’s cricket, hence addressing that must still remain priority."

Since Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach, his strategy of favoring all-rounders over specialists has drawn criticism. Furthermore, the retirements of key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin have created gaps in the team, and their replacements, including Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Dhruv Jurel, have yet to solidify their positions.

Following the loss to Australia, the BCCI held a review meeting, instructing centrally contracted players to participate in domestic cricket. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. a review of the South Africa series defeat is still pending. The decision to prepare a turning pitch in Kolkata also sparked controversy. Reports suggest that the team management, led by Gambhir, requested curator Sujan Mukherjee to minimize watering the pitch in the days leading up to the Test, hoping to assist the spinners; however, this strategy backfired.

India's next Test assignment is an eight-month away, a two-match series against Sri Lanka. The loss to South Africa has significantly reduced India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final.