🔗 Share this article

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

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press