Tom Latham, a seasoned leader in New Zealand’s Test cricket arena, steps into a significant role as he leads the official New Zealand squad on their tour to India. This time, Latham doesn’t just take the reins as a temporary captain filling in for an absence; he is the permanent figurehead for this challenging tour. As Latham assumes this mantle, the team and he himself find themselves confronting a formidable transition, grappling with inconsistencies in form and the natural evolution that comes with any team.
Cricket’s storied history, spanning 137 years, bears testament to the fact that progress in Test cricket isn’t always linear. Recently, both India and New Zealand found themselves at pivotal points on their respective trajectories. It was less than four years ago that Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor led New Zealand to their first-ever World Test Championship (WTC) title, triumphing over India in a finale that stirred discussions about the championship’s one-off final format. Since that historic moment, both teams have undergone significant changes and pursued different paths in the Test cricket landscape.
Reflecting on the years since the decisive 2021 WTC final, including the cycles that followed (2021-23 and 2023-25), it’s clear that India has adeptly managed transitions, notably phasing out experienced players while maintaining competitive strength. By early 2022, stalwarts like Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav were seeing their roles diminish, yet this didn’t disrupt India’s pace. Despite conscientious shifts in the middle order, with legends like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane seemingly stepping aside for emerging talents like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, India has showcased a smooth transition narrative. The impressive form of debutants like Sarfaraz and Dhruv Jurel added another layer of depth and adaptability to the squad.
In India, recent series have also seen players like Rishabh Pant make stunning comebacks, and Mohamad Shami’s absence saw Akash Deep stepping up to present a promising third-pacer option. The worries over filling these gaps have seemed minor against the backdrop of India’s ongoing success and evolution. Meanwhile, seasoned bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin offer India a reassuring stability ahead of a new WTC final anticipated in 2025.
Conversely, New Zealand hasn’t had the same smooth ride.
. The team saw an unfortunate string of interruptions and retirements following their 2021 WTC victory. Kyle Jamieson, who was pivotal in their title win, has since played intermittently due to fitness hurdles, appearing in just 11 out of 23 Tests. Their batting stronghold, Kane Williamson, missed six matches in the same period. The team was further shaken by Trent Boult exiting from New Zealand’s central contract plans and retiring from international cricket. Neil Wagner, another vital bowling force, retired in 2024 following an injury.
While Tim Southee remains one of the few constants, having featured in all 23 matches since the WTC win, his struggle with form and stepping away from captaincy adds complexity to the mix. Latham himself needs to find a purple patch with the bat as he last scored a century in December 2022. The persistent efforts of players like Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway have kept New Zealand competitive in bursts, but such intermittent resistance seems unlikely to faze a powerhouse like India on home soil.
For New Zealand, touring India represents a daunting challenge. The conditions and competitive environment within India have always been testing. In December 2021, New Zealand endured a similar test, familiarizing themselves with the difficulties of Indian pitches. With this current tour positioning them further along a transition arc, they introduce young talents like William O’Rourke, tasked to bowl alongside an out-of-form Southee against a fierce Indian batting lineup.
The landscape of Test matches this September underscored how divergent the two team’s journeys have become since their Southampton clash in June 2021. While India pulled off remarkable feats even in challenging weather in Kanpur, New Zealand faced setbacks despite batting gains, culminating in a tough defeat in Galle. As New Zealand navigates this phase, Latham and his team confront a pivotal juxtaposition of growth and challenge, striving to find learning opportunities amid the demanding environment of Indian Test cricket.