India’s Test Approach Comes Under Scrutiny as New Zealand Capitalizes

India, after dominating Bangladesh in their recent series, looked invincible at home. Their performances, both in batting and bowling, had made many believe that no team could challenge them on their turf. However, as the match against New Zealand unfolded, it became clear that India’s confidence could be misplaced, and their game plan was far from flawless.

The warning signs were apparent early on. India, having bowled out for a meager 46 runs in the first innings, found themselves in a precarious position. Even though they gained a dominant standing in the second innings, a collapse of seven wickets for very few runs painted a grim picture for the team. This shift in momentum brought forth questions about India’s strategy in Test cricket.

Test cricket is a game of patience, and India’s aggressive approach—relying heavily on quick runs—didn’t fit the traditional demands of the format. Former Indian captain Anil Kumble had suggested a more cautious strategy, emphasizing the importance of batting through the first session of the fifth day.

Yet, India continued to take risks. Yashasvi Jaiswal, for instance, lost his wicket trying to win the match with a risky shot, showcasing a mindset more suited for limited-overs cricket rather than the long-form game.

The dismissal of Sarfaraz Khan further emphasized this problem. Having just completed a well-fought 150 runs, Khan attempted a risky boundary shot off a new ball.

It wasn’t necessary at that moment, and his dismissal shifted the match’s balance in favor of New Zealand. Similarly, Ravindra Jadeja, who tried to pull the ball to fine leg, also fell victim to poor shot selection when patience could have paid dividends.

What was particularly concerning was the lack of foresight. India needed to survive just a few more overs against New Zealand’s pace attack before spin would have made scoring easier. Instead, key wickets fell, with players focusing on quick runs rather than playing out the overs to secure a draw.

Mohammad Siraj, too, played a shot that wasn’t needed at the time. India was close to carrying their innings into the next day, but his decision cost them. With weather conditions playing a factor and storms approaching, India could have secured a much-needed extra day of play. But aggressive decisions at critical moments derailed that plan.

New Zealand, on the other hand, capitalized on India’s misjudgments. Their pace attack, led by Tim Southee, outperformed India’s batsmen, putting them in a dominant position to win the match. India’s focus on trying to score 200 runs by the evening, without ensuring they were in a safe position first, created chaos in their strategy.

As India faces the final day, their chances of saving the match rest on their bowling. The forecast is favorable for the first two hours, but it will take a remarkable performance to avoid their first home defeat against New Zealand.