🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This 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 effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.

While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press