🔗 Share this article

India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press