🔗 Share this article

India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.

Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

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

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press