Another November, another heartbreak for Indian cricket as, for the first time in 91 years, the fortress has been breached; India faced a humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home, falling to New Zealand in a stunning display that left Mumbai’s storied stronghold shattered. The Indian team, renowned for its formidable home performances, sat in disbelief as the final defeat unfolded on Sunday, the dressing room’s silence mirroring the shock of millions. India’s last home series defeat in the gloried format came 12 years back in 2012. The irony being India had an embarrassing batting collapse in all the 6 innings while playing at a typical Indian wicket, what used to be a nightmare for visiting teams will haunt every Indian cricket fan for years to come.
Amid this unprecedented collapse, critics have turned their attention to the team’s strategic shortcomings, with Gautam Gambhir facing pointed scrutiny. Once celebrated as a no-nonsense tactician, Gambhir’s recent decisions have raised eyebrows. His approach in this series, perceived by many as overly cautious and reactive, failed to adapt to New Zealand’s aggressive play. Key selection choices and on-field strategies by captain Rohit Sharma fell short, exposing gaps that the kiwis exploited mercilessly.
The outcome is a stark reminder of the complacency that can creep into even the strongest sides. As India seeks answers and looks to regroup, the lessons from this series will need to drive tangible change if they hope to rebuild their reputation and reclaim their standing, the next test for India is going to be the Border Gavaskar Trophy against the world champions Australia next year.