🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press