🔗 Share this article

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

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press