🔗 Share this article

India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

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

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press