🔗 Share this article

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

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press