🔗 Share this article

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

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.

Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

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

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press