India played a series for the first time in 16 years without the services of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman as both had retired from the game following the end of the disastrous tour of Australia.
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For close to two decades, the Indian cricket team had a middle-order that was the envy of the world. Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sachin Tendulkar made up a core of batting that redefined class, solidity, elegance, and aggression. Ganguly had scored a hundred on debut in Lord’s while Dravid hit 95. Tendulkar was already a legendary figure in world cricket while Laxman had demonstrated his skill in grand style. Over the course of the next decade and a half, all four players amassed numbers that were simply brilliant.
Ganguly hit over 10,000 ODI and 7,000 Test runs in a career that spanned 12 years. Tendulkar had become the leading run-getter in both Tests and ODIs. Dravid established himself as the core of the side at No.3, becoming the first player in Test history to score a century in all countries. Laxman played some epoch-defining knocks, which included a 281 against Australia in Kolkata in 2001 that changed cricket forever.
When Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, and MS Dhoni came into the batting line-up, the Indian cricket team was simply sensational. They won the 2011 ICC World Cup at home and had established themselves as one of the best in the business. Ganguly, who had retired from all forms of cricket in 2008, was in cricket administration. But, Tendulkar, Dravid, and Laxman were still there.
But, in 2011, Dravid, Tendulkar, and Laxman all endured rough patches. Tendulkar was bogged down by the weight of his 100th international century and went without a big score for over a year. Dravid achieved tremendous success in England but Laxman struggled both in England and Australia. The travails of all these individuals had an adverse effect on the team. After the World Cup high, they were whitewashed 0-4 in Tests in Australia and England. They did not win a single match in the England tour while they won only three ODIs and a single T20I in Australia.
All these results increased the pressure on the Indian cricket team. There was immense speculation on whether Dravid and Laxman would continue. Dravid had a poor tour of Australia, getting bowled in six out of the eight innings. After the end of the tour to Australia, both Laxman and Dravid announced their retirement from international cricket.
In 2012, New Zealand arrived on India’s shores. With Dravid and Laxman retired, only Tendulkar remained. It was the first time in 16 years that India played a Test series without Laxman and Dravid in the team. It was the time of the new era to be ushered in Indian cricket.
Before the Hyderabad Test, there was a bit of sadness as the fans could not see their hometown hero VVS Laxman play his last Test in front of his home fans. India batted first in Hyderabad and they notched up 438. Cheteshwar Pujara, coming back from injury, smashed 159 to boost India. Virat Kohli hit a fifty and he was well assisted by MS Dhoni. Tendulkar was bowled for 19 by Trent Boult and it started a worrying trend.
New Zealand was bowled out for 159, with R Ashwin taking 6/31. The capitulation against spin was shocking and India gleefully enforced the follow-on. Kane Williamson hit a fifty in the second innings but once again, Ashwin ran through the New Zealand batting. He took 6/54 and ended with 12/85 in the match.
Having taken a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series, India tried to seize the advantage in Bangalore. New Zealand batted first and Ross Taylor, the skipper hit a century. He was well-backed by fifties from Martin Guptill and Kruger van Wyk as they notched up 365. Virat Kohli responded with a century, his second in his career. Dhoni and Suresh Raina also hit fifties but New Zealand got a lead of 12 runs thanks to Tim Southee’s 7/64. Tendulkar was bowled yet again for 17 by Doug Bracewell
New Zealand’s batsmen in the second innings did not reach fifties but they all chipped in. Ashwin was the star yet again with 5/69 as New Zealand ended on 248, setting India a target of 261. India’s batsmen calmly approached the chase, with Sehwag, Gambhir, and Pujara getting good scores. Kohli hit a fifty and shared a 96-run stand with Dhoni as India won by five wickets to whitewash New Zealand 2-0. The only sore point, Tendulkar was bowled for a third consecutive time. The expression of anger was a sign that he desperately wanted to turn his form around.
India started their life without Dravid and Laxman in fine style. One year later, in November 2013, Sachin Tendulkar retired from international cricket. The retirement of Tendulkar, who played for 24 years for the country, brought about plenty of tears and emotion from the billions of fans.
But, the services of Dravid, Laxman, and Tendulkar were not missed. Kohli and Pujara stepped up to become the new pillars of the Indian cricket team. They were later joined by Ajinkya Rahane who played a stellar role in overseas Tests. Kohli established himself as one of the greatest players in the modern era while Pujara became the new wall of the Indian cricket team.
