🔗 Share this article

India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press