🔗 Share this article

India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press