🔗 Share this article

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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press