🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press