🔗 Share this article

India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press