🔗 Share this article

India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press