Former Indian Player Expresses Concern Over Indias Test Dip

ByAnupam Pandey,SportsCafe Editor

Yesterday at 5:30 PM

The struggles of the Indian team in the Test format continues. With South Africa taking a massive lead, India got all out for just 201 runs, allowing South Africa to bat again. The issues with the Test team have now been called out by a former Indian cricketer.

A team which used to win home games with ease is now struggling even for a draw. And yes, this is the situation of the Indian team in the Test format, as the team holds four losses in its last six Tests at home. The form has deteriorated to a great extent, as the team goes through its tough

Even in the second Test at Guwahati, South Africa held the upper hand against India. First, they were able to score 489 runs, and then they bundled India all out for just 201. A former player, who used to play domestic tournaments for Gujarat, has called out the issues being faced by the team in this format.

1. Priyank Panchal Calls Out India’s Test Downfall

The Indian team has not been the same in the Test format since the series against New Zealand. Played last year in India, the team suffered a whitewash, which was a historic loss for the team. At that time, the majority of the blame went towards Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who eventually retired after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Priyank Panchal, who used to play domestic for Gujarat, was also disappointed with the performances shown by India lately. He was a part of the domestic format from 17 years, but failed to get an opportunity to play for the team. And now, watching India fail to score runs even at their home ground for Panchal.

, “Once bitten, twice shy? Similar patterns unfolding like the series in NZ. Back then the public laid the blame unfairly on Virat and Rohit, forgetting that the rest of the batters need to step up when needed too. With that cushion gone, the younger crop faces tougher times.”

Priyank Panchal talked about the issues being faced by the Indian batting line-up at the home conditions. He also said that earlier Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took the blame, but now they are not a part of the team. And this has left the young talent open to all the tough times which the team is facing in the longer format of the game.

2. India vs New Zealand 2024

The series between India and New Zealand ended up changing the game forever for the Indian team. A team which used to dominate games at home, ended up being whitewashed by New Zealand. It all started from the first game, when India got all out at the score of 46 runs in the first innings.

Following this in the second Test, India showed some signs of improvement. But it was not enough to help the team win, as the batsmen struggled to perform in the home conditions. While chasing the target of 359, India got all out at the score of 245, allowing New Zealand and also the series.

Later in the third Test, the match stood at a knife edge. India was given a target of 147 runs by New Zealand, which seemed a bit easy to chase. Still, the team got all out for just 121 runs, allowing New Zealand to win the series with a whitewash. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were able to score 93 and 91 runs respectively in the series, as they received the majority of the blame for the loss.

3. Priyank Panchal’s First Class Career

Priyank Panchal was a shining talent in the domestic format, who never got an opportunity to make it to the Indian team. He had played for the team in a whopping total of 127 matches in the Ranji Trophy, eager to get his chance in the Indian team. Despite his consistent performances, he was overlooked by the selectors to a great extent.

Priyank Panchal in First Class:

Innings: 207
Not Out: 11
Runs: 8856
Average: 45.18
Strike Rate: 53.45
100s: 29
50s: 34

Panchal started playing for Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy from 2008, and played till 2025. Serving the team for 17 years, and not making his international debut made him announce his retirement from all forms of the game. Now, Panchal has started to participate in the other T20 leagues, as he currently plays in the Nepal Premier League.