From being one of the red-ball powerhouses at the turn of the decade to wielding invincibility at home for the last half-century, India touched a new low against South Africa in Guwahati. It was a shuddering defeat, by 408 runs, exposing frailties of technique and tactics. A second clean sweep at home offered a reality check on their red-ball health as well as their priorities.
Transitions can be painful and frustrating; coaches and senior players will likely call for patience. But the shoddy performance across both Tests against South Africa offers little solace. No single knock stands out; apart from the spell of Jasprit Bumrah on the first day in Kolkata, there was hardly any bowling performance of note; no fielding effort sticks out in memory. The defeat offers little scope for anything but a sobering acknowledgement that India are a fallen giant in Tests. Worse, this was arguably the best set of cricketers India could line up.
India’s domestic cricket is still producing gifted youngsters, but their fundamentals are tailored to suit the shortest format. T20 players come ready but Test cricketers no longer come as finished products. India’s selectors have rewarded domestic performers, but they have to be groomed and moulded, and instilled with a five-day mindset and technical sturdiness. If the incumbent management does not possess the know-how to pull India out of the mess, it could dial the galaxy of Test greats eager to share their wisdom. Whether by incentivising red-ball cricket or putting more time, money and effort into revitalising the domestic circuit, the board’s biggest priority should be to make India’s Test team great again.
