India playing XI from the last time they lost back-to-back home Tests in 2012 - Where are they now?
Team India suffered their first Test series defeat at home in 12 years after New Zealand won the second Test at the MCA Stadium in Pune by 113 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
India’s impressive home record saw them winning 18 back-to-back series, so not many would have given New Zealand even an iota of chance before the series. Before this series, New Zealand had never won a Test in India in 36 years.
However, they have won two games within a week to script history. What England or Australia couldn't achieve, New Zealand have done that with a match to spare, and even a 3-0 result is a real possibility now. India are not used to losing at home, so there is bound to be introspection on their below-par showing.
The last time when India lost a home Test series was against England back in November-December 2012. India had started the four-match series with a resounding win in Ahmedabad but suffered heavy defeats in Mumbai and Kolkata to surrender the series. The last Test ended in a draw, helping England secure the series 2-1.
On that note, let's have a look at India’s playing XI from the last time they lost back-to-back home Tests in 2012 and where are they now:
# Openers: Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag
The two Delhi boys Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir opened for India in the third Test against England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Gambhir looked in fluent touch and scored 60 and 40 in the Test. He's currently the head coach of the Indian team.
Meanwhile, Sehwag scored 23 and 49 in the Kolkata Test and provided a good start. He's now a part of the IPL broadcasting team and has made a name for himself in social media with his quirky remarks. He also runs Sehwag International School in Jhajar, Haryana.
# Middle order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni
Pujara was in the initial stages of his Test career but couldn't quite make an impact in that Test, scoring 24. He is currently out of the Indian Test team after failing to score consistent runs. He has resorted back to first-class and county cricket to make a return to the Indian Test side.
Arguably the greatest batter to have graced the game, Sachin Tendulkar was going through a lean phase in that series. However, he scored a fluent 76 in the first innings but only managed five in the second innings. Tendulkar is set to play in the upcoming International Master League.
Virat Kohli has been an integral member of the Indian team for more than a decade now. However, his Test numbers in the last five years have been pretty ordinary.
He has been found out against quality spin in Tests but continues to dominate in the ODI format. He retired from the T20I format after India won the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Flamboyant left-hander Yuvraj Singh didn't have a long Test career but made a significant impact in some of the matches. He scored 32 and 11 in the Kolkata Test.
Yuvraj now mentors Abhishek Sharma and has also worked with players like Shubman Gill and Prabhsimran Singh. He has hinted at taking a full-time coaching role once his children start going to school.
Arguably the greatest Indian captain to have played the game, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is still an active IPL player and could be retained by the Chennai Super Kings for the upcoming season as an uncapped player. Dhoni announced his international retirement in 2020. It remains to be seen how long he prolongs his IPL career.
# Bowlers: Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha
Ravichandran Ashwin has established himself as one of the finest off-spinners in the modern generation. He's out of India’s white-ball radar but continues to weave his magic in red-ball cricket.
Ashwin bagged five wickets in the Kolkata Test. He will look to play a pivotal role in the final Test against New Zealand and also in the Border Gavaskar Trophy slated to commence on November 22.
Zaheer Khan was touted as one of the finest left-arm seamers to have graced the game, and his record in subcontinent conditions across formats proves his skills set as a bowler. He couldn't quite make an impact during the 2012 Kolkata Test.
Zaheer is now the mentor and bowling coach of the Lucknow Supergiants. He took up the role after the spots were left vacant by Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel.
Ishant Sharma is still an active cricketer but has lost his place in the Test side, with the team management looking towards the future especially in the pace bowling department. He plies his trade for Purani Dilli in the Delhi Premier League. Ishant played for the Delhi Capitals in the 2024 IPL. Whether he will be sold at the upcoming auction remains to be seen.
Pragyan Ojha, meanwhile, was one of India's most successful spinners during that phase. He bagged five wickets in the Kolkata Test but couldn't quite make a match-winning impact. Pragyan is now a member of the IPL governing council as a representative of the Indian Cricketers Association.