New Delhi: India’s recent dip in Test cricket performances has raised concerns, particularly after home defeats against New Zealand and South Africa over the past year. While the team has remained dominant in the T20 format, maintaining an unbeaten record in bilateral series under the current leadership, its red ball form has come under sharp scrutiny from fans and former players.
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid offered a candid assessment of the situation, highlighting the growing difficulty modern cricketers face in balancing multiple formats. Speaking at a book launch event in Bengaluru, Dravid said the constant transition between Tests, one day internationals, and T20 cricket has made preparation for the longest format increasingly challenging.
Dravid explained that players who feature across all formats often move straight from white ball cricket into Test matches with very little red ball practice. In some cases, teams arrive just a few days before a Test begins, and for certain players, it may have been several months since they last faced a red ball in competitive conditions. This lack of continuity, he said, has a direct impact on performance.
He noted that Test cricket demands a unique skill set, especially on seaming or turning wickets where batters are required to show patience, technique, and mental resilience over long periods. Developing and maintaining those skills is not easy without sustained practice, something that has become harder in the modern cricket calendar.
Reflecting on his own playing days, Dravid pointed out that preparation was far more structured when only two international formats existed and franchise cricket was not as prominent. Players then had extended periods, sometimes an entire month, dedicated solely to red ball practice ahead of major Test series.
Dravid also indicated that current captain Shubman Gill has spoken about similar challenges. Having recently played across formats, Gill has acknowledged how difficult it can be to quickly adjust to the demands of Test cricket after prolonged stints in shorter versions of the game.
According to Dravid, the sheer volume of cricket today leaves limited time for players to fine tune their red ball skills. While the talent remains unquestionable, he suggested that preparation gaps may be contributing to inconsistent results in Tests.
His remarks underline a broader issue facing international cricket, as teams look to strike a balance between packed schedules and preserving the quality of the longest and most demanding format of the game.
