🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players 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 devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press