🔗 Share this article

India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press