In 2025, India had not manage to reach the World Test Championship final for the first time since the inception of the competition, and one of the major setbacks India faced in the last cycle was losing 3-0 to New Zealand in home.
In this cycle thus far, India has managed to draw 2-2 against England away from home and won a Test series against the West Indies in India. However, facing the current WTC champions, India slipped up at home yet again in Kolkata last week. Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa questioned whether this team was ready for the WTC.
“Visiting teams play lesser cricket than India and have far more time for preparation. There is too much cricket happening,” warned Uthappa on his YouTube channel. You are going with one size fits all and trying to produce results. There needs to be a sense of realism about the goal for the next two years.”
“Yes, you want to get to the WTC final, but is this team ready to get there? Who is really effective outside of Bumrah and Siraj? We are missing a third pacer. They are trying out a bunch of guys. In all honesty, we don’t have a confirmed third fast bowler,” said Uthappa.
The former batter also pointed out that the lack of designated Test centres is affecting India. “India don’t have Test centres as a country. You are randomly playing Tests everywhere and trying to produce results in your favour. That takes away from the larger goal,” said Uthappa. “If you have Test centres, you can curate home advantage based on the visiting team. India is not doing that,” he said.
India will face South Africa for the second Test in Guwahati on Saturday, and intrestingly this is the first time Guwahati is going to host a Test match, hence India will yet again.
