🔗 Share this article

India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

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

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press