🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

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

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press