The Indian cricket team enters 2026 at a fascinating crossroads. On one hand, there is the opportunity to dominate global cricket with three world titles up for grabs — the U-19 World Cup, the men’s T20 World Cup, and the women’s T20 World Cup. On the other, India must confront serious concerns over its fading dominance in Test cricket, especially at home.

Two high-profile figures — head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav — will be under intense scrutiny as Indian cricket navigates this crucial year.

Until the 2024 T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav was widely regarded as India’s most destructive T20 batter. His performances earned him the captaincy, and he initially justified the faith with strong showings against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2024, including a blistering 75 off 35 balls against Bangladesh in October.

However, that innings marked the beginning of a worrying decline. From that point until the end of 2025, Yadav played 22 T20Is without registering another half-century. He crossed 25 only twice, with a highest score of 47* against Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025.

Despite his poor run with the bat, Yadav retained his place and leadership role for the T20 World Cup, while others such as Shubman Gill were dropped. Yadav himself admitted that his lean patch had stretched longer than expected, though he remained confident of a turnaround. With another T20 World Cup looming, India will desperately hope their captain rediscovers his best form.

Gautam Gambhir’s first year as India’s head coach delivered mixed results. While India claimed the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy, the Test side has struggled badly under his leadership.

Since taking charge in July 2024, India have won seven Tests, lost ten, and drawn two. The team has suffered three series defeats, including two at home, and for the first time in history, India were whitewashed in consecutive home Test series.

India still have nine Tests remaining in the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle. Realistically, they need at least six wins to remain in contention for a top-two finish. Challenging away tours to Sri Lanka and New Zealand in 2026, followed by a five-Test home series against Australia in early 2027, will define Gambhir’s Test legacy.

Despite criticism, Gambhir has the full backing of the BCCI until the 2027 ODI World Cup. The pressure now is on him to justify that trust.

India’s fortress-like dominance at home has crumbled alarmingly. A 3–0 loss to New Zealand in 2024 and a 2–0 defeat to South Africa in 2025 ended a streak that saw India unbeaten in home Test series from 2013 to late 2024.

The retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, an inexperienced batting group, and the burden on a bowling attack expected to maintain elite standards have all contributed to the decline. Although India will not play another home Test series before 2027, the issue cannot simply be ignored.

As India balances short-format success with Test cricket redemption, these three questions will define the trajectory of Indian cricket in 2026.