04 December 2025 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : India’s defeat in Raipur has exposed a long-standing and increasingly urgent flaw in the national team’s ODI setup — the absence of a reliable finisher. Despite strong starts and a solid top order, India once again faltered in the final overs, raising questions about tactical depth and lower-middle-order stability ahead of major upcoming tournaments.

A Pattern That Keeps Returning

The Raipur match followed a familiar script:
India built a steady platform, lost wickets in clusters, and then struggled to convert a competitive position into a winning total. The lower middle order’s inability to rotate strike, accelerate intelligently, or control high-pressure situations has now become a structural issue rather than an occasional failure.

No Replacement for the Old Guard

Since the departures of seasoned finishers like MS Dhoni and the inconsistency of the players who followed, India has never truly settled on a dependable No. 6 or No. 7 option. Shuffling between all-rounders and part-timers has only added to instability.

Hardik Pandya’s injuries and inconsistent availability have further affected the balance. With him still not at his peak as a finisher, India’s late-overs template appears fragmented and reactive.

Opposition Strategy: Target the Tail

Teams facing India have clearly identified this weakness. In Raipur, bowlers tightened lines in the death overs knowing India lacked the hitters to counter sustained pressure. The tail contributed little, leaving the chasing or defending task almost impossible.

What India Needs Going Forward

Experts believe India must:

• Develop at least two specialist finishers, not rely on just one all-rounder
• Back consistent game time for lower-order batters
• Clarify roles for Nos. 6–8
• Encourage domestic ODI performers who finish strongly for their state sides or IPL teams

A structurally strong finishing unit is essential if India wants to remain competitive in global tournaments where margins are razor-thin.

Fans Raise Concerns Online

Following the Raipur loss, fans voiced frustration about India’s unchanged finishing woes. Many pointed out that even with a strong top order, modern ODI cricket demands depth, intent, and experience down the order — something India currently lacks.

Summary

India’s Raipur loss exposed their biggest ODI weakness — the lack of a dependable finisher. Repeated late-over collapses, unclear roles, and an unstable lower order continue to cost India crucial matches.