Why did Team India lose two consecutive WTC finals? What is lacking in the team and how much preparation is there this time?

• WTC Finals: So far 2 final matches have been played in the World Test Championship, in both of which India lost against New Zealand and Australia respectively.

WTC Final 2025:

To save the diminishing influence of Test cricket, the ICC started the World Test Championship in 2019. The first final was played in 2021 and the second title clash in 2023. Both times India has reached the final, but it had to face defeat at the hands of New Zealand and Australia respectively. The 2025 final is approaching and India is currently at the top of the points table. Before that, let us know why India had to face defeat both the times?

Why did we lose against New Zealand?

In the first final of the World Test Championship, New Zealand defeated the Indian team by a huge margin of 8 wickets. Playing with 2 spin bowlers in that match proved to be the biggest mistake of Team India, who struggled to take wickets. At the same time, India’s batting was useless in both the innings. After scoring 149 runs for 3 wickets in the first innings, Team India was all out for 217 runs. In the second innings too, the team was reduced to a score of 170 due to losing wickets at regular intervals.

Reasons for defeat against Australia

In the 2023 final, Australia registered an easy 209-run win against India. In the first innings, the Indian bowlers looked completely helpless, due to which the Kangaroo team was able to score 469. At the same time, like the 2021 final, India’s batsmen failed to make big partnerships this time too. Due to poor bowling, India got a huge target of 444 runs in the fourth innings. At the same time, not playing Ravichandran Ashwin in this final also proved to be a big mistake of Team India.

Preparing for the 2025 finals

As soon as Gautam Gambhir became the head coach, a lot of attention is being given to the Test team. Even the players have been asked to play domestic matches. Except for some senior players including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, all the players were seen playing in the first round of Duleep Trophy 2024.

Playing more in the longer format will definitely help the Indian players perform better in the upcoming Test series. If Team India reaches the 2025 final, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will remain in the team, while Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal will also have to take up the responsibility of top order batting. While Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah can be seen handling fast bowling, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin can be seen handling spin bowling.

Team India’s dominance in world cricket is undeniable, yet the disappointment of losing two consecutive ICC World Test Championship (WTC) finals has left fans and experts wondering: What went wrong? Despite boasting one of the strongest Test line-ups, India fell short against New Zealand in the 2021 final and again in 2023 against Australia. As the team gears up for the next cycle, it’s crucial to understand the factors that contributed to these losses and how much preparation is being made to avoid a third consecutive heartbreak.

The First Final: 2021 vs. New Zealand – What Went Wrong?

In the 2021 WTC final, India faced off against New Zealand in a rain-affected contest at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Despite a strong start, India faltered when it mattered most, losing the match by eight wickets.

Key Factors in India’s Loss:

1. Inability to Handle Swing: New Zealand’s seamers, led by Kyle Jamieson, exploited the swinging conditions far better than their Indian counterparts. Indian batsmen, particularly in the second innings, struggled against the moving ball.
2. Lack of Match Practice: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India had limited preparation leading into the final, while New Zealand came into the match fresh off a Test series win against England. The lack of practice in English conditions may have contributed to India’s inability to adjust to the challenging environment.
3. Selection Issues: India went into the match without any changes to their playing XI, opting for two spinners on a pitch that wasn’t conducive to spin. In contrast, New Zealand picked an all-pace attack, which worked wonders in the conditions.

The Second Final: 2023 vs. Australia – Déjà Vu

Fast forward to the 2023 final, India faced Australia at The Oval in London. Unfortunately, history repeated itself as India suffered a 209-run defeat.

Reasons for India’s Loss:

1. Inconsistent Batting: India’s batting, once again, failed to deliver under pressure. Despite a promising start, the middle order crumbled against the relentless pace attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland.
2. Over-reliance on Key Players: India’s batting line-up seemed overly dependent on a few key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. When they couldn’t fire, the rest of the team collapsed. This over-reliance has been a persistent issue in big matches.
3. Bowling Strategy: India’s bowling attack, though formidable on paper, lacked penetration in crucial moments. While Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj bowled well in patches, the inability to consistently apply pressure allowed Australia to post a commanding total.
4. Selection Dilemmas: Questions were again raised about India’s team selection. The decision to drop Ravichandran Ashwin, the world’s No. 1 ranked Test bowler at the time, left many baffled. This misstep proved costly as India lacked a quality spinner who could exploit The Oval’s conditions on the fifth day.

What is Lacking in the Team?

1. Adaptability to Conditions: India’s inability to adapt quickly to overseas conditions, especially in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, has been a recurring theme. The batting order’s struggles against swing and seam are particularly noticeable in high-pressure finals.
2. Mental Toughness in Finals: India’s record in ICC tournament finals has been a cause for concern. The team has faltered at the final hurdle in multiple tournaments, which suggests an issue with handling pressure in do-or-die situations.
3. Over-dependence on Senior Players: While the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara have been pillars of Indian cricket, there’s an evident over-reliance on them. When they fail, the younger players haven’t stepped up as consistently as required in major matches.
4. Selection and Tactical Errors: India’s tendency to stick to a fixed combination instead of being flexible with team selections has hurt them in these finals. The decision to overlook conditions while picking playing XIs has often backfired, especially when the pitch demands a different approach.

The Road to Redemption: How is India Preparing for the Next WTC Cycle?

India has already set its sights on the 2025 WTC final and is taking significant steps to ensure they don’t repeat the same mistakes. Here’s a look at what’s being done differently:

1. Prioritizing Overseas Success: The Indian team management is keenly focused on improving performance in foreign conditions, especially in Australia and England. As a result, the team is planning more practice matches ahead of overseas tours, giving players a better chance to acclimatize to the conditions.
2. Building a Balanced Squad: The Indian selectors and coaching staff are working on creating a more balanced squad that has both depth and versatility. The emergence of younger talents like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the batting department is encouraging, while the fast-bowling reserves with names like Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Umran Malik look promising for future challenges.
3. Rotation Policy: Managing workload and avoiding injuries will be key. India has recognized the need for a rotation policy to ensure that players, especially fast bowlers, are fresh and fit for big games. This approach will help avoid burnout, which has affected the team in the past.
4. Tactical Flexibility: India’s think-tank is aiming for more flexible team selections based on conditions. The team is working on developing all-rounders and preparing both spin and pace options that can adapt to different pitches.
5. Investing in Mental Conditioning: A renewed emphasis is being placed on mental toughness and handling pressure in key situations. The team is working with mental conditioning coaches to prepare players for high-stakes matches, aiming to improve their ability to handle the pressures of finals.
6. Backing Young Blood: With stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of their careers, India is preparing the next generation of cricketers to take on leadership roles. The team is placing trust in players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (once he returns from injury), and Ishan Kishan to shoulder responsibility in future WTC campaigns.

Conclusion: The Path Ahead

Team India’s losses in two consecutive WTC finals were the result of a combination of factors—batting collapses, poor adaptability to conditions, and selection errors. However, the team is determined to learn from these mistakes and put together a squad that is well-rounded, mentally tough, and adaptable to all conditions. With promising young talent coming through and a focused preparation regime in place, the next WTC cycle could very well see India break their final jinx and lift the coveted trophy.