🔗 Share this article

India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.

While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press