The year 2024 was full of ups and downs for Team India. From winning the ICC T20 World Cup that made the whole nation shed tears of joy to the shocking 0-3 whitewash in the Test series against New Zealand at home, fans experienced a spectrum of emotions. In this article, we will revisit some of the tough moments for the Indian Cricket Team in 2024.
Bad moments for Indian Cricket
Test series loss vs New Zealand
Team India suffered a heartbreaking home Test series defeat at the hands of New Zealand this year. To note, this was the first time that team India had lost a Test series at home since 2012. The Kiwis won the series by 3-0 which not only broke the long standing record but also hurt team India’s chances of qualifying for the WTC final.
Ro-Ko retirement
While the whole nation celebrated team India’s T20 World Cup victory, two cricketing veterans and key contributors to India’s successful campaign, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from the T20 format. While their journey in T20Is has ended, their records will always keep them part of the discussion among T20 greats.
ODI series loss vs SL after 27 years
Having not won an ODI series against India since 1997, India slumped to an ODI series loss on Sri Lankan soil for the first time in 27 years after the Rohit Sharma-led side lost the third ODI by 110 runs against Sri Lanka in August this year. After the series loss, several Indian fans lambasted team India’s performance, with many demanding Rohit to step down from the captaincy role.
New low for Rohit Sharma
Team India Test skipper Rohit Sharma equalled an all-time unwanted India record after the IND vs AUS 4th Test match held in MCG. The loss in the MCG is Rohit’s fifth in the ongoing season. As a result, he equalled with Sachin Tendulkar, who had five losses as skipper in the 1999/00 season. The five losses are also India’s joint worst in a Test season. Apart from the captaincy role, Rohit Sharma is going under the lean phase with the bat as well. The right-handed batter is averaging 26.39 this year in Test cricket. This is his third lowest Test average in a year with 25.07 being his lowest back in 2015.
Mohd. Shami’s injury
Mohammed Shami’s potential comeback was eagerly anticipated by fans and experts alike, especially given the lackluster performance of India’s pace attack in the ongoing Test series against Australia. To note, Shami has not played a single match for team India this year. Shami represented team India last back in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against the New Zealand.
