India’s next challenge with the red ball is the five-Test series in England starting in July. England’s conditions, known for sharp shifts even within a session, will test players’ technique, skill and ability to the limit.
India have not won a series in England since 2007, with only two previous victories (1971, 1986), suggesting a tough task ahead. Adding to the pressure, recent setbacks against New Zealand and Australia have the selectors grappling with tough decisions on player selection and team combinations for this crucial campaign.
The biggest headache for the selectors is the form of strong Charms and Kohli after dismal matches in Australia and earlier against New Zealand.
Sharma managed just 31 runs in the three Tests in Australia and his poor form saw him sit out the final game. Kohli fared slightly better, scoring 190 runs in nine innings, but 100 runs of his total came in one knock. His dismissals followed a pattern – caught at slips or behind the stumps – indicating an obvious technical flaw or mental fatigue under pressure.
Since January 2024, Sharma has managed just 619 runs in 16 Tests with one century. Kohli’s numbers have deteriorated over time, averaging 32 in Tests since 2020 with just two centuries.
Sharma, once a late opener in Tests and a prolific match winner, is now struggling to find his ideal batting position. Meanwhile, Kohli’s surreal decline – after a decade of dominance and swagger – has seen the former titan of cricket in a prolonged slump.
