🔗 Share this article

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

In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

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

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

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

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press