There was a time when playing at home felt like India’s biggest strength, a comfort zone where visiting teams often crumbled under spin. But the past year has told a different story. Two back-to-back whitewashes in home Test series, first against New Zealand and now against South Africa, have left fans and experts wondering how India’s fortress suddenly became fragile.
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the answer lies not in a single bad series but in a slow shift that has crept into India’s cricketing system. He feels Indian batters, despite rising through a domestic structure built on spin-friendly pitches, begin losing touch with those very conditions once they enter the national side. According to him, the moment a promising domestic batter is picked for India, his exposure to home conditions drastically reduces, much like someone who spends long periods abroad and gradually loses the familiarity of home.
Sanjay Manjrekar explains that Indian batters today spend far more time playing overseas cricket, from long tours to T20 leagues, leaving them underprepared for the sharp turns and subtle variations they once handled with ease. He points to recent results as proof.
In the Test series against South Africa, India’s batting unit struggled to build partnerships and their discomfort against spin stood out sharply. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja were the only ones who managed to cross the 100-run mark in the two-match series, while experienced players like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant failed to make a significant impact. Yashasvi Jaiswal showed promise with a half-century but couldn’t convert it into consistent performances.
What made the losses more glaring was the calmness of the Proteas batters who looked surprisingly assured on Indian pitches. Their composure only highlighted India’s growing vulnerability at home, an issue that would have felt unimaginable a decade ago.
Sanjay Manjrekar also points out the contrast between India’s impressive recent tour of England and their struggles back home. Young batters who adapted beautifully to swinging conditions overseas seemed unsettled when the ball started turning on their own soil. To him, this inconsistency reflects a deeper imbalance in preparation and exposure.
As India look ahead, the concern isn’t just about two series defeats. It’s about understanding how their greatest strength – playing spin at home, became their Achilles’ heel, and how they can reclaim the comfort and confidence that once defined them in their own backyard.
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