🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press