🔗 Share this article

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

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.

Facing 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 opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press