Celebrations in cricket can sometimes blur uncomfortable truths. India’s recent success in limited-overs cricket against South Africa gave fans plenty to cheer about, but beneath those victories lies a growing concern that refuses to go away. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has urged the cricket board and team management not to overlook India’s struggles in Test cricket, warning that results in the longest format reveal the real state of a team.
While India dominated the ODI and T20I series at home, the memory of the two-Test whitewash by South Africa still lingers. That defeat was especially alarming because it marked India’s second home Test series loss in just one year. Not long ago, New Zealand had stunned the hosts with a 3–0 sweep, raising serious questions about India’s strength in conditions that were once considered their fortress.
Much of the pressure has landed on head coach Gautam Gambhir. Since taking charge, India have failed to produce strong results in Test cricket, losing series against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. They were also unable to defeat England at home, settling for a draw in the five-match Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. These outcomes have led to criticism that India’s red-ball plans lack clarity and balance.
The South Africa Test series exposed familiar flaws. In both Kolkata and Guwahati, India’s batters struggled badly against spin bowling, with Simon Harmer playing a decisive role. Even accounting for Shubman Gill’s absence due to a neck injury, the inability to chase a modest target of 124 runs in the Eden Gardens Test left fans and experts stunned. It highlighted deeper technical and mental issues rather than a one-off failure.
Sanjay Manjrekar took to social media to stress that Test cricket must remain the top priority. His message was clear — even if Test matches attract less attention today, their results carry lasting weight. According to him, success in shorter formats cannot erase poor Test performances and a nation’s cricketing health is best judged by how it fares over five days.
Sanjay Manjrekar took to X and wrote, “Test cricket may not be the most popular format today but it’s results linger. Ind may have won the ODI & T20 series v SA but it’s 2-0 defeat in Tests still lingers. Tests results reveal the true health of a nation’s cricket, hence addressing that must still remain priority.”
https://x.com/sanjaymanjrekar/status/2002236380098015613
Team selection has also become a talking point. Since Gautam Gambhir’s arrival, there has been criticism that all-rounders are being preferred while specialist players are being sidelined. The situation has grown more complicated following the retirements of senior figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. Their replacements have yet to fully convince, with players such as Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair and Dhruv Jurel failing to lock down regular spots in the playing eleven.
After the Test loss to Australia, the BCCI held a review meeting and directed centrally contracted players to return to domestic cricket and sharpen their skills. However, a similar review following the South Africa series has not yet taken place. Decisions made by the management also came under scrutiny, particularly the choice to prepare a turning pitch in Kolkata. Instructions to avoid watering the surface in the days leading up to the match were meant to aid spinners but ultimately worked against India.
With no Test cricket scheduled for the next eight months, India will return to the format only when they tour Sri Lanka for a two-match series. The recent defeat has left their World Test Championship final hopes hanging by a thread. For India, the message is clear — white-ball success is welcome but fixing Test cricket cannot wait.
