🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press