Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad's belligerent 98 was complemented by a clinical bowling display, led by pacer Tushar Deshpande, as the defending champions returned to winning ways with the fifth win of the season. Read more on TOI
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ght for the Indian cricket team in 2024 as they faced one defeat after another in the various series and tournaments they played. The year started off on a promising note with a series win against Australia, but things quickly went downhill from there. The team struggled to find form and consistency in both the batting and bowling departments, with key players failing to deliver when it mattered the most. Captain Virat Kohli's form dipped drastically, leading to questions about his leadership and future in the team. The lack of a solid opening partnership and a reliable middle order also plagued the team, with frequent collapses and batting collapses becoming a common occurrence. The bowling attack, once considered one of the best in the world, also failed to make an impact, with pacers struggling to pick up wickets and spinners failing to contain the opposition. Off-field controversies also marred the team's performance, with reports of rifts and disagreements among the players and coaching staff. The constant chopping and changing of the playing XI only added to the team's woes, with no settled combination emerging throughout the year. As a result, the Indian team suffered humiliating defeats in series against England, South Africa, and New Zealand, with their ranking in the ICC Test and ODI standings plummeting to new lows. The lackluster performance also raised questions about the future of head coach Rahul Dravid and the need for a major overhaul in the team's structure and approach. Despite the disappointing year, there were some silver linings for Indian cricket, with young talents like Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant showing glimpses of their potential. However, it remains to be seen if these promising players can step up and fill the void left by the underperforming senior players. As the year comes to a close, the Indian cricket team faces a period of introspection and rebuilding as they look to bounce back from their dismal performances in 2024. With major tournaments like the T20 World Cup on the horizon, the team will need to regroup and rediscover their winning ways if they are to reclaim their status as one of the top cricketing nations in the world.