🔗 Share this article

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, India seem beatable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press