Learnings in the loss

India's Test debacle against New Zealand offers vital lessons in terms of strategy, preparation, and mindset, which, if taken, can pave the way for resurgence from the setback

- ALOK RANJAN

Success and failure in life continue to provide valuable leadership lessons, and sports is no exception. The recently concluded Test series between India and New Zealand was a shocker. We lost a home series for the first time since 2011-12, breaking a streak of eighteen consecutive series wins on home soil. Any loss stings, and in this cricket-crazy country, a defeat in cricket becomes a highly emotional issue, especially when it's a complete and embarrassing washout, as was the case in this three-match series against New Zealand.

What made it worse was that the Indians were outplayed in all departments by New Zealand and are now left with nowhere to hide.

Every Test-playing nation prepares pitches to align with its strengths. When Indian teams play abroad, they confront conditions that favour swing bowling or fast, bouncy tracks. Rightfully, India prepares pitches that offer substantial turn for spinners. For the past twelve years, superior Indian spinners have consistently decimated visiting teams' batting lineups, spinning a web that has trapped opposing batsmen. However, Test cricket today is no child's play; it is a highly competitive and professional sport where technology is used to analyse opponents' strengths and weaknesses, helping teams design effective winning strategies.

In this contest of leadership, New Zealand showed superior strategy and successfully implemented it. India's strategy, on the other hand, backfired, and we were subjected to the unedifying sight of average New Zealand spinners rocking the Indian boat. Astonishingly, bowlers like Santner and Ajaz Patel appeared unplayable, while India's proven spinners, Ashwin and Jadeja, were made to look unexpectedly ordinary.