🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press