India's Test and ODI Cricket Series Losses in Australia in 2025

India lost two major cricket series in Australia in 2025. This is a big change from their wins in the past.
By Newsroom | Sports, Cricket |

Tension Mounts Over Cricket Performance

A recent series loss marks a significant setback for the Indian cricket team. The defeat, occurring on Australian soil, has ignited widespread discussion among fans and analysts regarding team selection, player performance, and strategic direction. This outcome comes at a time when India has a proud record in Australia, having won the last two Test series, and highlights potential cracks in the team's strategy.

India condemn Australia to first home series loss since 2017 - 1

Timeline of Events and Key Players

The reports detail multiple cricket series between India and Australia, primarily focusing on recent events in late 2024 and early 2025.

India condemn Australia to first home series loss since 2017 - 2

  • November 2024: A five-Test series between India and Australia was announced, with India facing pressure to perform. Australia was looking for a successor to opener David Warner, while spinner Nathan Lyon and batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were noted key players.

  • October 2025: Reports emerge of India's ODI series loss in Australia. Gautam Gambhir, as India's head coach, has lost two successive series against Australia in Australia. New ODI skipper Shubman Gill's start has been described as disappointing. Questions arise about selection errors and execution.

  • January 2025: A Test series loss is discussed, with fans expressing dissatisfaction. India was bowled out for 157 in their second innings of a Sydney Test. Sam Konstas was mentioned for Australia's chase. A social media post by Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) highlights a win-loss record under Gambhir. Another post by Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) criticizes the team's performance. Travis Head is noted as a "long-lasting nemesis" for India.

  • Around 13 Hours Ago (from Article 1's publication): A Women's T20I (WT20I) series triumph by India against Australia is reported. Smriti Mandhana scored a notable 82 runs off 55 balls, her 15th WT20I fifty. Australia's chase started poorly, leading to their hopes ending.

  • November 10, 2024: A report confirms Australia's last ODI series loss at home was in 2017, a streak of 2123 days. This loss was against Pakistan. Australia had won all subsequent home series.

Evidence of Performance and Reaction

Multiple sources provide data and commentary on the team's performance and the resulting reactions.

India condemn Australia to first home series loss since 2017 - 3

  • Player Statistics: Smriti Mandhana's performance in the WT20I series is highlighted, with a score of 82 off 55 balls and a career strike rate of 117.66 (or 124.51 in another mention). Her total runs are 1,482 at an average of 25.11 in 99 WT20Is.

  • Match Outcomes:

  • India lost a Test match and series in Australia in January 2025.

  • India experienced an ODI series loss in Australia in October 2025.

  • Australia's home ODI series loss streak ended in 2017.

  • Fan and Analyst Commentary:

  • Fans expressed sentiments like "Time we put team over individuals."

  • Concerns were raised about senior batsmen letting the team down and the team's dependency on Jasprit Bumrah for bowling and only one or two batters for runs.

  • Questions were posed regarding whether "selection blunders or rusty execution" were the causes of the ODI series loss.

  • The defeat raised "uncomfortable questions about India’s team selection, leadership, and direction under head coach Gautam Gambhir and new captain Gill."

India's WT20I Success Against Australia

While the focus is often on Test and ODI series, India achieved a significant WT20I series victory against Australia. This triumph is detailed in one report, with Smriti Mandhana being a standout performer.

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India condemn Australia to first home series loss since 2017 - 4

  • Key Performance: Mandhana’s 82 runs were instrumental in the series win. Her 15th WT20I fifty and a strong strike rate underscore her contribution.

  • Match Dynamics: Australia's chase in one of the WT20I matches faltered due to a poor start and a subsequent collapse, which ended their hopes of winning.

India's Test Series Struggles Down Under

India's recent Test performances in Australia have been met with criticism, despite a historically strong record.

  • Specific Match: In the Sydney Test in January 2025, India was bowled out for 157 in their second innings. Travis Head's batting is identified as a significant factor in India's loss.

  • Leadership Concerns: The tenure of Head Coach Gautam Gambhir has seen losses, with a social media post noting six losses out of nine matches (excluding a washout at Gabba).

  • Team Composition: There are suggestions that the team relies heavily on specific players, indicating a potential lack of depth.

Australia's Unbeaten Home ODI Series Streak

Australia has maintained an impressive record of not losing a home ODI series since 2017.

  • Duration: This streak extends to 2123 days as of November 2024.

  • Opponents: The last team to defeat Australia in a home ODI series was Pakistan, who won 2-1.

  • Recent Performance: Since that loss, Australia has won all six of their subsequent home ODI series, with a record of 14 wins and 2 losses in those series.

Analysis of India's ODI Series Defeat

The circumstances surrounding India's ODI series loss in Australia in October 2025 are under scrutiny.

  • Potential Causes: Discussions revolve around whether the loss was due to "selection blunders or rusty execution."

  • Leadership: The leadership of new ODI captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir is being questioned, with their start described as disappointing.

  • Player Contributions: The performance of leg-spinner Adam Zampa for Australia is noted, with his success on the pitch highlighting what India missed. This suggests potential issues with India's own spin bowling choices.

Expert Insights

While direct quotes from named experts are limited, the reports convey analytical viewpoints on team performance and strategy.

  • Performance Dependency: Observations suggest a dependence on key players like Jasprit Bumrah and a few batsmen, pointing to a need for broader team contribution.

  • Selection and Strategy: Questions surrounding team selection and the overall direction under the current coaching and captaincy leadership are prevalent.

  • Strategic Missteps: The success of Australian players like Adam Zampa on pitches where Indian bowlers struggled implies potential strategic or selection errors by the Indian team.

Conclusion and Implications

The recent series losses in Australia, particularly the ODI and Test defeats in late 2024 and early 2025, represent a significant challenge for the Indian cricket team. While India secured a notable WT20I series win, the performances in longer formats have raised critical questions.

  • Key Findings:

  • India lost an ODI series in Australia in October 2025, with questions about selection and execution.

  • India lost a Test series in Australia in January 2025, with Travis Head being a notable performer for the hosts.

  • The coaching tenure of Gautam Gambhir has seen a mixed record against Australia in Australia.

  • Australia's home ODI series unbeaten streak continues, highlighting their strength at home.

  • A successful WT20I series win for India against Australia also occurred during this period, showcasing the team's capabilities in a different format.

  • Implications: The repeated series losses in Australia necessitate a thorough review of team selection policies, player development, and strategic planning for future tours. The performance in Tests and ODIs indicates areas requiring substantial improvement to meet the high expectations associated with Indian cricket.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did India lose the Test series in Australia in January 2025?
India lost the Test series in Australia in January 2025. In one match in Sydney, India was bowled out for 157 runs. Player Travis Head was a key player for Australia's win.
Q: What happened in India's ODI series against Australia in October 2025?
India lost the ODI series in Australia in October 2025. People are asking if the loss was because of bad player choices or not playing well. Coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill's start has been disappointing.
Q: How has coach Gautam Gambhir's time been with the Indian team in Australia?
Coach Gautam Gambhir has faced losses in Australia. Reports show India lost a Test and an ODI series under his coaching. This is a concern for fans who expect wins.
Q: Did India win any matches against Australia recently?
Yes, India's women's team won a T20 series against Australia. Smriti Mandhana played very well, scoring 82 runs in one match.
Q: Why are fans unhappy with India's cricket performance in Australia?
Fans are unhappy because India lost important Test and ODI series in Australia in 2025. They feel the team relies too much on a few players and that player selection needs to be better.
Q: How long has Australia been unbeaten in home ODI series?
Australia has not lost a home ODI series since 2017. This streak has lasted for over 2123 days as of November 2024. The last team to beat them at home in ODIs was Pakistan.