🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press