Can India Reclaim Their Batting Strength?

The recent decline in India's batting performance at home since 2021 has raised concerns among fans and analysts, especially given the team’s dominance from 2013 to 2020. During that period, India boasted an impressive win-loss record and a record-high batting average, reflecting a formidable batting lineup. However, the recent drop in averages and struggles against spin have highlighted a potential issue.

A key factor in this decline is the poor form of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, who were crucial to the middle order. Kohli's batting average has plummeted from over 86 to 34.47, while Pujara's has dropped from 56.85 to a concerning 24.53. This decline has negatively impacted the overall batting unit, as both players were relied upon to anchor the innings.

Moreover, while Indian pitches have traditionally favoured spin, recent data shows that spinners have become more effective against Indian batsmen, leading to an increase in dismissals. The average against spin has decreased significantly, indicating that Indian batsmen are struggling on home turf, which should ideally play to their strengths.

The competition has intensified, with spinners from other countries performing better in India than in previous years. Opposition bowlers have become a formidable challenge for the Indian batting lineup.

The batting average of India's top seven batters has dropped from 54.43 to 38.30, underscoring the need for both individual and collective improvement. Emerging players like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have shown promise, but a team-wide effort is required to regain former strength.

The gap between home and away averages has narrowed significantly, with only a slight difference in recent years compared to the substantial gap observed previously. This indicates that the traditional home advantage is diminishing, and Indian batsmen are expected to perform better at home.

Despite the concerning statistics, there are reasons for optimism:

- Emerging Talent: Jaiswal and Gill represent a new wave of talent, with Jaiswal making a remarkable start to his Test career and Gill consistently performing under pressure.

- Potential Resurgence: If Kohli can return to form, his experience and ability to perform under pressure could spark a team-wide resurgence.

- All-Rounders: Dependable all-rounders like Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja can contribute valuable runs, adding depth to the batting lineup.

In conclusion, while current figures suggest a troubling trend in India's home batting performance, the potential within the squad and the possibility of key players returning to form offer hope. The upcoming home series presents an opportunity for India’s batting unit to rediscover its rhythm and reassert its dominance on home soil.