🔗 Share this article

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

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season also.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

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

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press