🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press