Indian cricket team has suffered its first home Test series loss in 4,331 days, the longest unbeaten streak in Test cricket came to an end in Pune. After winning consecutive 18 Test series at home, India lost to New Zealand for the first time in the history.
It’s a tough sight for fans who have watched their team dominate every opponent that toured. The confidence of India has been breached after a span of almost 12 years. Indian captain Rohit Sharma came to address the media and said “we failed as a team. No batters or bowlers to blame, we lost it collectively”.
Team India have only lost a home series to three teams over the span of 295 months- Australia (2004), England (2012), and New Zealand (2024).
The pitch in Pune proved challenging for the Indian batters, as they struggled to adapt, making it difficult to settle at the crease and contribute meaningfully to the team’s run total. The uneven bounce and unpredictable turn consistently troubled the lineup, ultimately impacting India’s ability to build any significant partnerships or momentum.
Fans all over the world are blaming captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir for their squad selection and strategies.
Meanwhile, Indian fans are expressing their disappointment across the internet, with reactions pouring in from all sides. Here’s a glimpse at some of the responses:
India’s Point Percentage Plummets After Series Loss to New Zealand
Team India lost the second test in the three-match test series against New Zealand at home, is behind in the series 2-0. This series loss has drastically affected India’s position in the World Test Championship table and their chances for reaching the finals.
Indian cricket team were leading the table with a point percentage of 74%, and a margin of around 11.5%. After their loss in the first two Tests, India’s point percentage has dropped to 62.8%, with a margin of only 0.3% left.
India now need to win four and draw one of their five remaining matches in this World Test Championship cycle to stand a chance for reaching the finals at Lords in 2025.