🔗 Share this article

India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press