ndia’s 8-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test was a hard pill to swallow. For the first time in 36 years, New Zealand secured a Test victory on Indian soil. While the spotlight has mostly been on KL Rahul’s failures, two other key players—Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj—also failed to deliver when the team needed them most. Let’s break down their performances and understand why their struggles contributed to India’s loss.
KL Rahul’s Continued Struggles
KL Rahul has been a topic of heated debate among fans and experts. His performance in the Bengaluru Test has only added fuel to the fire. In the first innings, Rahul couldn’t even get off the mark, falling for a duck. However, it’s essential to remember that the entire Indian team collapsed for just 46 runs. Blaming Rahul alone for the first innings failure is unfair, given that five Indian batsmen didn’t manage to score either.
In the second innings, where India made a remarkable comeback, Rahul again faltered. Coming in at number six, he managed to score just 12 runs before getting out to a nearly unplayable delivery. His dismissal came at a crucial point, triggering a sudden collapse of wickets. Despite a tricky ball, the responsibility ultimately lies with the player, and Rahul couldn’t live up to the expectations.
Ashwin’s Surprising Disappointment
Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been India’s go-to match-winner in home conditions for the past decade, was expected to lead the bowling attack. However, the Bengaluru Test turned out to be a rare off-game for him. In the first innings, New Zealand’s batsmen went after him, and Ashwin ended up conceding 94 runs in just 16 overs, taking only one wicket.
The bigger shock came in the second innings. Ashwin, usually the captain’s first choice in such situations, wasn’t trusted to bowl until New Zealand was just 10 runs away from victory. This lack of confidence from skipper Rohit Sharma in India’s star spinner was highly unusual and highlighted how out of sorts Ashwin was in this game. For a player who had been a series hero against Bangladesh just a few weeks ago, this was a significant letdown.
Mohammed Siraj: Struggling in Home Conditions
Mohammed Siraj, who has become an integral part of India’s bowling attack, failed to make a substantial impact in the Bengaluru Test. Although he picked up two wickets in the first innings, his overall performance left much to be desired. Siraj gave away 84 runs in his 16 overs, and his line and length often lacked the precision needed to trouble the Kiwi batsmen consistently.
In the second innings, Siraj showed glimpses of his potential, troubling New Zealand’s top order in his initial spell. But despite bowling well, he was unlucky and didn’t get the breakthroughs India needed. His performance at home continues to be a concern, with only 19 wickets in 13 Tests played in India. With Mohammed Shami sitting out and Akash Deep looking more effective in the previous series, Siraj’s place in the next Test could be under threat.
