The year 2024 proved to be fruitful for Indian cricket, as the men’s team won the T20 World Cup trophy after a long wait since 2007. But some tough challenges await the men across all formats in 2025 with the Champions Trophy – and if all goes well, even the World Test Championship final – at stake. Additionally, the team may also enter a major transitional phase as the form of senior players begins to fade. The women’s team will also be under immense pressure to end the ICC title drought under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Kaur as India will host the ODI World Cup next year.
Here’s what to expect from Indian cricket in 2025:
The first challenge for India will be the Champions Trophy, which could prove to be a big challenge for some senior Indian stars if things do not go according to plan. After the defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Rohit Sharma will have a chance at another ICC ODI trophy and will try his best to lift it once again 11 years after he held it as a player under MS Dhoni. Had kept. India will play all its matches in Dubai as the PCB has accepted the hybrid model and has been placed in the group with New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh. However, things did not go well when India last played an ICC tournament in the UAE, incidentally losing to Pakistan and New Zealand and making an early group-stage exit at the 2021 T20 World Cup.
This is a title with which India very eagerly wants to be associated, but it has not got this title on the last two occasions. Last two times, India qualified without any difficulty, but in 2025, they will have to depend heavily on the result of the Sri Lanka vs Australia Test even if they win the last match in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The defeat of the Boxing Day Test has further spoiled the path for India to score a hat-trick of WTC final. They have to win the Sydney Test at any cost and even if they succeed in doing so, India will only be able to reach 55.26 percentage points, and will still be behind Australia’s 57.84. After this, Rohit Sharma and Co. will depend on Sri Lanka to beat Australia 2-0 in their home series.
India’s journey in Test cricket during 2024 was a story of ups and downs. The year began with a hard-fought draw in the away Test series against South Africa, followed by an impressive 4–1 win over England on home soil. However, the momentum came to an abrupt halt when New Zealand toured India and suffered a historic 3-0 defeat to the hosts. The defeat proved to be a turning point, as the senior stalwarts – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja – failed to live up to expectations. These players, who have been the backbone of India’s success over the past decade, have faced increasing criticism, with BCCI being called upon to usher in a new era by introducing new talent.
The change began last week when Ashwin surprised fans by announcing his retirement from international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Although the decision surprised many, it was seen as a harbinger of more high-profile retirements to come. Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja were already away from T20Is after their victorious World Cup campaigns, but their declining performances in the red ball have put their Test futures under intense scrutiny.
Indian captain Rohit had a disappointing year and scored only 619 runs at an average of 24.76. Although he managed to score two centuries against England, Rohit’s struggles against quality pace attacks, especially during the series against New Zealand and Australia, raised serious questions about his ability to lead from the front in Tests. Kohli’s decline was even more pronounced in red-ball cricket. The batting maestro could score only 417 runs in 2024 at an average of 24.52. His constant vulnerability outside the off-stump – often bowling the ball to the slip cordon or wicketkeeper – proved disastrous for him, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This technical flaw, which has plagued them for the last four years, has now become a major concern for Team India, leading the management and fans to wonder whether they can recapture their once-dominant form. Can get.
As India goes through these challenging times, the team faces the difficult challenge of balancing respect for its aging veterans with the urgency of building a team capable of achieving sustained success in the future.
Is Jasprit Bumrah Ready for Test captaincy?
Jasprit Bumrah, considered the world’s best all-format pacer, excelled in leadership during the first Test against Australia in Perth. The 31-year-old took up the responsibility of captaincy with full gusto and led from the front with sensational bowling performances in both the innings. His efforts were instrumental in India’s victory on the challenging surface, helping the team take a 1–0 lead in the series. After this success, Bumrah handed the command back to Rohit, who returned to captain the team after the second Test.
Despite his brief tenure as captain, Bumrah’s performances led to widespread calls for former cricketers to take over the role permanently in Test cricket. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a complex decision. Bumrah’s injury history is a significant concern, and managing his workload is important to prolong his career. This careful management often necessitates his absence from some home Test matches, which can disrupt continuity in the leadership structure.
Although Bumrah’s leadership abilities are undeniable, the selectors should assess these challenges before handing him the full-time captaincy. Balancing his important role as a bowler with the demands of captaincy will require a thoughtful and strategic approach.
Who will be India’s next ODI captain?
With just over two years left for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the selectors will face a crucial decision as to who will lead the team in South Africa. Rohit’s advancing age raises doubts over his availability for the next World Cup, with many speculating that the upcoming Champions Trophy could be his final stint as captain.
In India’s most recent ODI series, Shubman Gill was named vice-captain, making him a potential successor. Often touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket, this young talent has shown glimpses of talent. However, his leadership abilities are under scrutiny after a disappointing debut season as captain of Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
Another strong contender is Shreyas Iyer, who has demonstrated significant leadership success in domestic cricket. His tactical skills and composure make him a viable option, but his place in the team depends on his batting performance. To strengthen his claim, Iyer will have to score consistent runs during the Champions Trophy. With a major change underway, the selectors must carefully evaluate these options to ensure the team is in capable hands for the next chapter of their ODI journey.
Transition phase in T20I
India have embraced a new era in T20 cricket following the retirement of Rohit, Virat Kohli and Jadeja following their victorious T20 World Cup campaign. Suryakumar Yadav was chosen as Rohit’s successor after Hardik Pandya was removed from the captaincy. So far, the dynamic batsman has justified the selectors’ faith, leading the team to impressive series wins against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and South Africa.
Under Surya’s leadership, the team has flourished, with emerging talents like Sanju Samson, Tilak Verma and Nitish Kumar Reddy as well as established players like Rinku Singh and Hardik making significant progress. This blend of youth and experience has brought a refreshing energy to the team.
The bowling department also looks strong, with a good mix of experienced campaigners and rising stars. With Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Bumrah and other promising talents, India’s bowling attack looks well-equipped to deal with the challenges on any surface.
What next for Gautam Gambhir?
Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach has not started as expected. While India won the T20 series over Sri Lanka, the subsequent 0-2 defeat in the ODI series left a bitter mark for India. His Test coaching journey started promisingly with a 2–0 win over Bangladesh, but things took a sharp downturn during the 0–3 series loss to New Zealand. The Indian batsmen struggled against spin, raising questions about their preparation and Gambhir’s coaching strategies, which were widely criticized.
The pressure on Gambhir has increased even more during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A defeat in the BGT would mark back-to-back series defeats, potentially prompting the BCCI to explore the idea of split coaching for red-ball and white-ball formats.
For Gambhir, the SCG Test is not just about saving the series but also cementing his position as a leader capable of taking India through the challenges of Test cricket.
It’s time for Harmanpreet Kaur to end her ICC title drought
The Women in Blue had a disappointing 2024, being eliminated in the group stage of the T20 World Cup despite being one of the favorites ahead of the tournament. Even with the advent of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the Indian team seemed unprepared for the challenges posed by the UAE conditions, which were similar to Indian pitches.
However, Harmanpreet Kaur will have another chance to lead her team to an ICC title when India hosts the ODI World Cup. Key players like Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma – who have performed consistently in the bilateral series – will have to step up and replicate their stellar performances on the grand stage.
With home advantage and a talented squad, India will aim to forget the T20 World Cup disappointment and put in a strong performance in the ODI World Cup.
