🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press