🔗 Share this article

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

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this season also.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press