What Are India’s Biggest Concerns Despite Their 4th Test Win Against England

India’s recent five-wicket victory over England in the fourth Test at Ranchi marked a remarkable series win, extending their undefeated streak in the home Test series to 17. However, beneath the surface of celebration lies a set of concerns that need addressing. Despite the triumph, India faces challenges that could impact their performance in future matches. Let’s delve into three major concerns that persist despite their series-clinching victory.

India’s Battle with England’s Spin Novices

While India secured the series win, their batting lineup encountered challenges against England’s inexperienced spinners. The pitches, though not overly favorable to spin, witnessed moments where the Indian batters seemed ineffective against the opposition’s relatively young spin-bowling attack.

In the first Test, Tom Hartley’s left-arm spin dismantled India’s batting with figures of 7/62. The struggles persisted in subsequent matches, with 20-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir troubling the Indian batsmen in Ranchi. Despite the absence of some experienced Indian batters, the home team could have performed better. At times, England’s spinners appeared stronger than anticipated, raising questions about India’s ability to counter inexperienced bowling attacks.

Rajat Patidar’s Battle Against Poor Form

The poor form of batter Rajat Patidar has been a significant concern for India. After a decent start in Visakhapatnam, scoring 32, Patidar’s luck deserted him. In the next five innings, he managed scores of 9, 5, 0, 17, and 0, with dismissals highlighting his struggles. In the third Test in Rajkot and again in Ranchi, Patidar appeared uncertain against spin, falling victim to Shoaib Bashir on both occasions.

Unlike his counterparts Sarfaraz and Jurel, Patidar failed to capitalize on opportunities, making his position in the playing XI precarious. With KL Rahul potentially returning for the final Test in Dharamsala, Patidar may find himself making way due to his recent string of low scores and unconvincing performances.

Rohit Sharma’s Troublesome Exits

Indian captain Rohit Sharma, while not having a bad series, faces concerns about the manner of his dismissals. Despite contributing crucial runs, Rohit’s inconsistency and occasional soft dismissals raise questions. In the ongoing series, he registered scores of 24 & 39, 14 & 13, 131 & 19, and 2 & 55. The way he was dismissed, particularly outside of the off-stump channel, was not pleasant for someone of his quality.

Rohit’s footwork, despite years of experience, remains uncertain, as seen in his dismissal in Ranchi. While his overall series returns are decent, Rohit acknowledges that he is capable of performing at a higher level. Addressing the issue of soft dismissals will be crucial for the Indian captain to lead by example in the upcoming matches.

India’s series victory over England is certainly reason for celebration, but it’s also important to acknowledge the underlying issues that may affect the team’s performance going forward. Attention needs to be paid to the team’s troubles against young spinners, Rajat Patidar’s dismal form, and Rohit Sharma’s cheap dismissals. Addressing these issues will be essential to India’s continued supremacy in Test cricket as they prepare for the final Test in Dharamsala and beyond.