The year 2024 was a significant milestone for Indian cricket, as the men's team secured the T20 World Cup trophy, marking their first victory since 2007. However, the upcoming year, 2025, presents formidable challenges for the Men in Blue across various formats, with the Champions Trophy and potentially the World Test Championship final on the horizon. Concurrently, the team may face a substantial transitional period as the performance of senior players begins to decline. Additionally, the women's team will be under considerable pressure to break the ICC title drought under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, especially with India set to host the ODI World Cup next year.

Here is what to look forward to from Indian cricket in 2025:

Champions Trophy 2025

India's initial challenge will be the Champions Trophy, which may serve as a farewell for several senior players if outcomes do not align with expectations. Following the disappointment of the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Rohit Sharma will have an opportunity to pursue another ICC ODI title, aiming to secure it once more after an 11-year gap since he last won it as a player under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. All of India's matches will take place in Dubai, as the PCB has agreed to the hybrid model, placing India in a group with New Zealand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. However, during India's last participation in an ICC event held in the UAE, the results were unfavourable, as they suffered defeats to both Pakistan and New Zealand, leading to an early exit in the group stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup.

World Test Championship Final

India is eager to associate itself with a particular title, yet it has been elusive in the past two instances. On both previous occasions, India qualified with relative ease; however, in 2025, their prospects hinge significantly on the outcomes of the Tests between Sri Lanka and Australia, even if they secure victory in the final match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The defeat in the Boxing Day Test has further complicated India's ambitions of achieving a third consecutive appearance in the World Test Championship finals. They must win the Sydney Test, and even if they succeed, they would only attain 55.26 percentage points, which still places them behind Australia's 57.84. Consequently, Rohit Sharma and his team will need Sri Lanka to achieve a 2-0 victory over Australia in their home series.

Final dance for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?

India's experience in Test cricket throughout 2024 was characterized by a mixture of triumphs and setbacks. The year commenced with a hard-fought draw in an away Test series against South Africa, followed by a commanding 4-1 victory over England on home turf. However, the team's momentum was abruptly halted when New Zealand visited India and achieved a remarkable 3-0 series victory, marking a historic whitewash. This defeat represented a crucial turning point, as senior players—Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja—failed to deliver on expectations. These individuals, who had been instrumental in India's achievements over the last decade, faced increasing criticism, prompting calls for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to initiate a new phase by incorporating emerging talent.

The transition commenced last week when Ashwin surprised fans by announcing his retirement from international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This unexpected decision was perceived as a precursor to further high-profile retirements. Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja had already withdrawn from T20 internationals following their successful World Cup campaign, but their declining performances in Test matches have placed their future in the format under significant scrutiny.

Rohit, the captain of the Indian cricket team, experienced a disappointing year, accumulating only 619 runs at an average of 24.76. Despite achieving two centuries against England, his difficulties against high-quality pace bowling, particularly during the series against New Zealand and Australia, have raised significant doubts regarding his capacity to lead effectively in Test matches. Similarly, Kohli's decline in red-ball cricket has been even more pronounced. The batting virtuoso managed to score only 417 runs in 2024, with a dismal average of 24.52. His ongoing susceptibility to deliveries outside the off-stump, often resulting in edges to the slip fielders or wicketkeeper, has been detrimental, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This technical issue, which has persisted for the last four years, has become a pressing concern for Team India, prompting management and fans to question whether he can regain his former prowess.

As India navigates this difficult period, the team faces the formidable challenge of honouring its veteran players while simultaneously striving to cultivate a squad capable of achieving long-term success.

Is Jasprit Bumrah ready for Test captaincy?

Jasprit Bumrah, often hailed as the premier all-format fast bowler globally, showcased exemplary leadership during the inaugural Test against Australia in Perth. At 31 years of age, he embraced the captaincy role with remarkable composure, spearheading the team with an outstanding bowling display in both innings. His contributions were vital to India's victory on a demanding pitch, enabling the team to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Following this achievement, Bumrah returned the captaincy to Rohit Sharma, who resumed his leadership from the second Test onward.

Although his tenure as captain was brief, Bumrah's performance ignited significant discussions among former cricketers advocating for his permanent appointment as the Test captain. Nevertheless, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is confronted with a challenging decision. Bumrah's injury history raises considerable concerns, making it essential to manage his workload effectively to extend his playing career. This careful management may require him to miss certain home Test matches, potentially affecting the stability of the leadership framework.

While Bumrah's potential as a leader is clear, the selectors must carefully consider these factors before assigning him the full-time captaincy. Balancing his crucial role as a bowler with the responsibilities of captaincy will demand a strategic and thoughtful approach.

Who will be India's next ODI captain?

As the 2027 ODI World Cup approaches in just over two years, the selectors are confronted with a pivotal choice regarding the leadership of the team for the tournament in South Africa. Rohit Sharma's increasing age raises concerns about his participation in the upcoming World Cup, leading to speculation that the forthcoming Champions Trophy may be his last appearance as captain.

In India's latest ODI series, Shubman Gill was appointed vice-captain, positioning him as a likely successor. This young talent, often regarded as a future star of Indian cricket, has exhibited moments of brilliance. Nevertheless, his leadership capabilities are still being assessed following a lacklustre debut season as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

Another prominent candidate is Shreyas Iyer, who has achieved notable success in leadership roles within domestic cricket. His strategic insight and calm demeanour render him a strong option; however, his inclusion in the squad is contingent upon his batting performance. To strengthen his case, Iyer must produce consistent runs during the Champions Trophy. With a significant transition on the horizon, the selectors must meticulously consider these alternatives to ensure the team is well-prepared for the next phase of its ODI endeavours.

Transition phase in T20Is

India has entered a new chapter in T20 cricket following the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja after their successful T20 World Cup campaign. Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as Rohit’s successor, narrowly surpassing Hardik Pandya for the captaincy role. To date, the dynamic batsman has validated the selectors' confidence by steering the team to notable series victories against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and South Africa.

Under Suryakumar's guidance, the team has flourished, with emerging talents such as Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Nitish Kumar Reddy making significant contributions alongside established players like Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya. This combination of youth and experience has infused the squad with a revitalizing energy.

The bowling unit also appears robust, showcasing a balanced mix of experienced players and promising newcomers. With talents like Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s bowling attack seems well-prepared to face challenges on any pitch.

What next for Gautam Gambhir?

Gautam Gambhir's initial period as head coach has not unfolded as anticipated. Although India achieved a T20I series victory against Sri Lanka, the subsequent 0-2 defeat in the ODI series was disappointing. His foray into Test coaching began on a positive note with a 2-0 triumph over Bangladesh; however, the situation deteriorated significantly with a 0-3 series loss to New Zealand. The Indian batting lineup faced considerable difficulties against spin bowling, leading to concerns regarding their preparation and Gambhir's coaching methods, which have faced considerable scrutiny.

The pressure on Gambhir has escalated further during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A defeat in this series would result in consecutive series losses, potentially prompting the BCCI to consider the option of appointing separate coaches for red-ball and white-ball formats.

For Gambhir, the upcoming Test at the SCG represents not only an opportunity to redeem the series but also a crucial moment to reinforce his credibility as a leader capable of guiding India through the complexities of Test cricket.

Time for Harmanpreet Kaur to end ICC title drought

The Women in Blue faced a disappointing outcome in 2024, exiting the group stage of the T20 World Cup despite being regarded as one of the frontrunners before the tournament. The introduction of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) did not seem to adequately prepare the Indian team for the challenges presented by the conditions in the UAE, which bore a striking resemblance to Indian pitches.

Nonetheless, Harmanpreet Kaur will have another chance to guide her team towards an ICC title when India hosts the ODI World Cup. Key players such as Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma—who have consistently excelled in bilateral series—must elevate their performances to match the expectations of the grand stage.

With the advantage of playing at home and a skilled roster, India will strive to overcome the disappointment of the T20 World Cup and make a significant impact in the ODI World Cup.

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