By Admin 
With the farewell of the year 2025, Indian cricket has entered the year 2026. This year is going to be no less than a litmus test for Team India. On one hand, India has to enter a mega event like ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, on the other hand, the team has the challenge of saving its reputation in red ball cricket also. Even though this year the focus of the Indian team will be mostly on white ball cricket, but there are some issues which are giving sleepless nights to the team management. Team India will face three big challenges in 2026, which will be necessary to overcome at any cost.
Surya’s form becomes a matter of concern
The start of 2026 has not been easy for T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav. His performance at the end of 2025 was disappointing in terms of statistics. His average in the last 16–17 innings has been around 15. Which is a matter of concern for a captain and match-winning batsman. Just before the T20 World Cup, the captain not being in form like this can become a big threat for the team. Now there is double pressure on Surya – one to score runs and second to justify his captaincy and place in the team.
win in home test
India’s home Test record has been like an impregnable fortress for a long time. However, in recent years, teams like New Zealand and South Africa have made a dent in this fort. In 2026, India has to play many important Test series at home, which will decide the path to the WTC final. Batsmen will be tested on spin-friendly pitches and consistent performance will be expected from young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. The transition phase that the team is going through after the senior players makes this challenge more difficult.
Gambhir’s coaching: Success in white ball, questions in red ball
The third and important challenge is regarding the coaching of head coach Gautam Gambhir. During Gambhir’s tenure, India has achieved great success in white ball cricket. The team showed its strength by winning the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup. However, the same edge was not visible in Test cricket. After the defeat in some matches, questions were being raised on Gambhir’s aggressive strategy. Critics believe that the method which is effective in limited overs can upset the balance in Test cricket. 2026 will be a decisive year for Gambhir – where he will have to prove that he is not just a white-ball but an all-format coach.