Recognition in Test cricket came pretty late in Rohit Sharma’s batting career, but his relationship with the classical format can segue into legacy-creating memorableness if he can lead India to a triumph in the World Test Championship. His predecessor, Virat Kohli, had come close, but was thwarted by a spunky New Zealand team. Alongside Rohit is Rahul Dravid, whose coaching stint is curiously placed: No apparent future-proof team-building achievements, and no clarity on the direction the Test team is taking. Does the return of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane signify open-ness of the management to reconsider their mistakes, or the forcing of their hands by the board?
For the country that runs the most competitive T20 competition in the world, returns in that format in the international arena have been poor. It’s cricket’s most traditional format that offers a podium finish to be remembered by. For a unit that had the best pack of fast bowlers in their Test history, and more than a couple of batsmen who can argue their case to be in all-time XIs, the Test championship title should shine brightly from their cabinet. To twice thump Australia in Australia is a great achievement, but somehow that final push needed to win the series in England or South Africa has eluded them. They did get a shot to win the WTC title, but selection misses foiled it, among other factors. It’s been a pattern with the team for a while now, like the No 4 lacuna in the 2019 World Cup, or their choice of bowlers in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
