Team India in 2015: A Cricket World Cup Heartbreak, Shock in Bangladesh and a Resurgence in Tests
Team India did better in the longest format of the game with series wins against Sri Lanka and South Africa. In limited overs cricket, India seemed to be missing match-winners.
It's been a roller-coaster year for Indian cricket. After Mahendra Singh Dhoni quit as India's Test captain at the end of the 2014 Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, Virat Kohli grew in stature in company of team director Ravi Shastri. India tasted both success and defeats in limited overs cricket. As defending champions, India went as far as the semifinals. But the shocking ODI defeat in Bangladesh in June meant India needed to realign their forces against hitherto weaker sides.
Kohli's elevation as Test skipper was interesting. He was leading a young side full of potential. Spin remained India's biggest weapon as India won a series in Sri Lanka, Kohli's first overseas.
India's Test-winning streak continued at home. South Africa beat India in the ODIs and Twenty20 series but simply failed to live up to the world No. 1 status in the longest format of the game.
On turning and controversial wickets, the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja simply wrecked the South Africans as India won Test matches inside three days in Mohali and Nagpur.
This was the first time India and South Africa were engaged in a four-Test series. South Africa spoilt their stunning nine-year overseas Test-winning record when they lost the Nagpur Test. The failure of their main batsmen was the primary reason for this and Ashwin simply created havoc with his repertoire of deliveries.
© AFP
Here are India's high and low points on the cricket field in 2015 from a team and personal point of view:
India's Reign as Cricket World Champions Ends (March 26) - Read More
Australia Win Fifth World Cup Title (March 29) - Read More
Bangladesh Seal Historic Series vs India (June 21) - Read More
India Sweep ODI Series in Zimbabwe (July 14) - Read More
Kohli Captains India to Historic Series Win vs Sri Lanka (Sept 1) - Read More
Rohit Sharma is Second Indian to Score a T20I Ton (Oct.2) - Read More
South Africa Script T20 Series Win in Unruly Cuttack (Oct.5) - Read More
De Kock, Rabada Guide SA to Maiden ODI Series Win in India (Oct.25) - Read More
Ashwin, Mishra Spin India to Series Win vs South Africa (Nov.27) - Read More