🔗 Share this article

India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

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

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

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 post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press