🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India seem beatable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press