🔗 Share this article

India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India seem vulnerable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, 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 India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press