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Star batter Virat Kohli has struggled to get into form in recent years
The Border-Gavaskar Test series between Australia and India, which begins on Friday in Perth, pits the two best teams in red-ball cricket against each other.
The last four series between these two countries have been convincing, making them the preeminent rivalry in Test cricket today. This period has been particularly good for India, who have won the tournament four times, including twice in a row in Australia.
But New Zealand's recent unexpected whitewashing of India, marked by the failure of big stars, has raised doubts about the future of some big names.
The spotlight in the current series will be on veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who have been the pillars of India's dominance across formats over the last decade. However, with age and recent dips in form, questions remain about their ability and hunger to continue competing at the highest level.
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Rohit Sharma's prowess in white-ball cricket has often overshadowed his superlative batting in Tests
The most worrying issue has been the form of star batter Virat Kohli, the poster boy of Indian cricket.
His recent battles span more than three years. In the last five years, Kohli, who had once accumulated Test centuries with ease, has managed to add only two more to the 27 he had accumulated earlier at a rapid pace.
His Test batting average, which once hovered in the mid-50s, has fallen below 48. The run machine that was touted as most likely to overhaul Sachin Tendulkar's Test records has stumbled.
Australia has long been a favorite hunting ground for Kohli. His first Test century came in Adelaide in 2011, and in the 2014-15 series he dazzled with an almost magical strokeplay, cementing his place among the game's greats.
Kohli's fiery aggression – even outplaying the Australians in their own game – has earned him the respect and adoration of fans Down Under. When he led India to their first historic Test series victory in Australia in 70 years, he assumed cult status.
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Ashwin adds element of surprise and edge to his spin bowling
Captain Rohit Sharma, a late bloomer in Test cricket, may have had relatively modest success in the format, but the respect he commands from his opponents is just as important as that accorded to Kohli.
After starting with centuries in his first two Tests, Sharma lost his way and his place, briefly, until he was given the opening berth. Since then, he hasn't looked back.
Sharma's prowess in white-ball cricket has often overshadowed his superlative batting in Tests, where he can be destructive and sublime depending on the situation.
He is often criticized for his inconsistency in producing big scores. However, there is a unanimous consensus that when Sharma finds his rhythm, India's chances of winning Tests go up considerably.
Although Sharma hasn't had a prolonged lean trot like Kohli, he has unfortunately seen a dramatic decline in the recent home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
In 10 innings each in these matches, neither Sharma nor Kohli managed to muster even 200 runs. The caliber and class of Sharma and Kohli is unquestionable. The question is whether they are over the hill.
Ashwin and Jadeja are undoubtedly world-class all-rounders. With over 3,000 runs each, Ashwin has crossed 500 Test wickets, while Jadeja recently crossed the 300 mark. Both would be welcomed with open arms in any team in the world.
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Jadeja is economical and lethal, especially on a broken pitch
In tandem, they have more often than not wreaked havoc with opposing teams, even if their record abroad is modest.
In 10 Tests in Australia, Ashwin took 39 wickets at an average of 42.15. Meanwhile, Jadeja has taken 14 wickets in just four Tests at an impressive average of 21.78 – better than Ashwin's, albeit in a smaller sample size.
But these statistics can also be misleading.
Ashwin is the more experimental of the two, adding an element of surprise and edge to his bowling. In 2021, he made the best Australian drummers, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, dance to his rhythm. Jadeja, on the other hand, is the mistress of control – economical and deadly, especially on a crumbling pitch.
Ashwin and Jadeja's value extends beyond just their bowling. Ashwin's courage with the bat in the memorable 2021 series was vital for India to win the series. Jadeja often strengthened the batting with strong defense and courageous shots when the top order fell. And he’s worth 30 to 35 points just on the field.
Concerns over Ashwin and Jadeja stem from their relatively modest bowling returns against New Zealand at home last month. Ashwin took nine wickets at a strike rate of 66.33, while Jadeja took 16 wickets at a strike rate of 37.93.
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Jadeja, Kohli and Sharma in the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023
Indeed, the Kiwi spinners outplayed both of these stalwarts, and India lost a home series after 18 Test wins. As in the case of Sharma and Kohli, was this an aberration or a sign of a decline in power?
It would be unwise to dismiss players of such caliber and experience based on a handful of statistics. Beyond their skills and ambition, great players rely on their self-belief and pride to overcome the toughest challenges and succeed when it matters most.
However, as they approach the winter of their careers, how these outstanding players perform in the current series is crucial, both for the team and themselves.
Success here will signal a resurgence, helping them withstand stiff competition from a wave of exceptionally talented young players. On the other hand, failure will only intensify calls for a broader transition in Indian cricket.
