🔗 Share this article

India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.

Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press