India’s Test Dominance at Home Crumbles Again

Beating India in India in Test cricket was once a huge achievement and a dream
for visiting teams. Australian legend Steve Waugh even called it the “last
frontier.” But even he couldn’t win a Test series in India. Now, that dream
seems easy to get, almost like a free add-on with a flight ticket to India.
First, New Zealand beat India 3–0 without their star Kane Williamson. Now South
Africa has beaten India without their main bowler Kagiso Rabada. And Gautam
Gambhir has been the coach during both these failures.

India’s strong home record has rarely been lost in such a weak manner. Even
when West Indies’ great fast bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh
retired, they still fought at home. Australia still protects their home
advantage, which is why India’s two wins there are so special. South Africa
also stopped India from winning even after AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and
Dale Steyn retired. Losing is not the problem — it happens. But India has
looked like they gave up too easily, without putting up a real fight.