🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes 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. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press