🔗 Share this article

India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, the team look to be beatable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press