🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, 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 India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident 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 Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press