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Unconquerable A Thing of the Past: The Reasons India's Test Match Standing Is in Tatters
The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
Kaitlin Hill
A seasoned casino strategist with over a decade of experience in roulette analysis and game theory, dedicated to helping players maximize their odds.
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