🔗 Share this article

India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Currently, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished 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 nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press