🔗 Share this article

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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press