🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press