Warnings of 'Cracks' in Indian Team Following Series Defeat Against New Zealand

In the aftermath of India’s significant home Test series defeat to New Zealand, former cricketer Manoj Tiwary has raised concerns about potential discord within the team. This loss marks India’s first home series defeat since 2013 and ends an impressive 18-series winning streak, creating significant challenges for their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.

Tiwary expressed his worries specifically aimed at captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. In an interview with Cricbuzz, he highlighted the factors that contributed to India’s downfall, emphasizing that internal issues may begin to surface. "There’ll be cracks in the dressing room," he warned, stressing that the combination of poor decision-making and unexpected weather disruptions could lead to tension among players.

He pointed out that the weather conditions in Bengaluru played a crucial role in derailing India’s strategy. Originally, the pitch was prepared to favor spin, but the rain forced a change in their plans. Tiwary criticized the decision to bat first after winning the toss, suggesting that it was a miscalculation that set a negative tone for the series.

Following their loss in the first Test, India made three changes to the lineup, a move that Tiwary deemed questionable. He believes that these alterations, combined with the team’s overall performance, have cast doubt on the current leadership's ability to guide the squad effectively.

As India prepares for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Tiwary's observations reflect a growing sense of urgency within the team to address these issues before they escalate further. The ability to maintain team unity and coherence will be crucial if India hopes to bounce back and regain their competitive edge on the international stage.