3 key reasons behind Team India’s loss against Australia in the Boxing Day Test

Dec 31, 2024

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3 key reasons behind Team India’s loss against Australia in the Boxing Day Test

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Reasons behind India loss in Boxing Day Test

In a high-voltage clash at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Team India faced a disheartening 184-run defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test, pushing the hosts ahead 2-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series. The match, watched by thousands in the stadium and millions around the globe, showcased a battle of skill, strategy, and resilience. Despite moments of hope and individual brilliance, India could not overcome the challenges posed by the Australian team on their home turf.

As the series heads to its conclusion in Sydney, India will be reflecting on the mistakes they have made in the match, carefully analyzing each aspect of their performance. The team must identify the key areas where they faltered, as this self-reflection is crucial for them to gain valuable insights and learn important lessons. If India hope to avoid suffering a series loss or finish on a positive note with a draw, these lessons will be essential in shaping their approach for the final match and securing a strong, competitive performance.

Also READ: Fans react as Australia go 2-1 up after dramatic win over India in the Boxing Day Test

3 reasons behind Team India’s loss in the fourth Test against Australia

1. Batting collapse under pressure

India’s batting, which was already facing heat in the series, crumbled under the pressure of a 340-run chase. Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s 84 was a bright spark in an otherwise dim performance, with the rest of the team unable to build on this start. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul failed to convert their starts into significant scores. The lack of partnerships and the inability to counter Australia’s bowling attack effectively led to a batting collapse, underscoring the need for better resilience and strategy when facing a target of this magnitude.

2. Over dependency on Jasprit Bumrah

India’s bowling attack was heavily reliant on Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled his heart out, taking 4 wickets in the first innings and followed it up with a five-wicket haul in the second innings. However, the rest of the bowling unit failed to provide adequate support. Other bowlers struggled to make an impact, either through inconsistency or through being less effective on the Melbourne pitch. This over-reliance on Bumrah meant that when he was rested or not at his best, the team lacked the firepower to dismantle Australia’s batting line-up efficiently. The match highlighted the urgent need for a more balanced and varied bowling attack to complement Bumrah’s prowess.

3. Rohit Sharma’s captaincy blunders

Rohit’s on-field decisions came under scrutiny after the match. His captaincy was criticized for setting overly defensive fields, which allowed Australian batters to settle in and build substantial partnerships. Decisions like batting first under cloudy skies, which might have been more advantageous for Australia’s seamers, were questioned. Furthermore, his personal contribution with the bat was below par, adding pressure on his leadership role as he scored only 12 runs in the match. The inability to adapt strategies or to galvanize the team when the going got tough was a notable aspect of India’s defeat, with fans and pundits alike expressing their disappointment over his captaincy in this critical game.