🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.

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

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press