Domestic trouble: On Indian cricket and home Tests

Indian Cricket Faces a Home Challenge

As the dust settled at Guwahati's Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, India's once-unquestioned dominance as a Test host appeared shaken. The team, long considered invincible in home conditions, now confronts mounting questions about consistency, form, and preparation.

A Struggle on Familiar Ground

India’s cricket team has historically transformed home soil into a fortress, backed by conditions perfectly suited to its spinners and top-order batters. Yet recent performances have revealed cracks in this supremacy. Poor shot selections, declining patience at the crease, and overdependence on individual brilliance suggest a team struggling to synchronize its strengths.

Domestic System Under Scrutiny

Much of this turbulence reflects deeper issues within the domestic cricket structure. The Ranji Trophy, once a rigorous breeding ground for red-ball specialists, has lost some competitive edge. Young players often prioritize white-ball tournaments, chasing T20 fame and financial security over the slower, more exacting rhythms of Test preparation.

The Road Ahead

To restore stability at home, Indian cricket must recalibrate its priorities. Strengthening the domestic circuit, investing in longer-format coaching, and rewarding sustained performance over spectacle could help reestablish balance. The current moment calls not for panic but for disciplined reform, grounded in respect for Test cricket’s enduring value.

“Test cricket is not merely a contest of skill, but of temperament and endurance.”

Author’s Summary

India’s recent home Test struggles expose deeper flaws in domestic cricket priorities, underscoring the urgent need to reinforce red-ball development and competitive discipline.

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The Hindu The Hindu — 2025-11-28

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