India’s batting has long been the pride of its Test legacy - a lineup stacked with stalwarts, record-breakers, and marathon men. But in the recent home Test series against South Africa, something happened that hasn’t occurred in three decades: not a single Indian batter managed to score a century.
Let that sink in.
This wasn’t a one-off match or a rain-hit tour. This was a two-Test series, played in Indian conditions - traditionally considered a paradise for batters once they settle in. And yet, the Indian batting unit failed to produce even a single hundred across four innings. The last time this happened in a home series of two or more matches was way back in 1995–96, against New Zealand.
What makes this statistic even more striking is the fact that only two Indian players crossed the 50-run mark, and both of them were not specialist batters - they were all-rounders, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. The top order, usually brimming with technique and temperament, simply didn’t show up.
The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and others were expected to dominate on home turf. But in this series, they struggled not only to convert starts but often to survive the opening spells. Whether it was the movement off the pitch or lapses in shot selection, the Indian batting order looked out of rhythm and out of confidence.
To add to the concern, India failed to reach even 250 in any of their four innings. For a team that prides itself on batting depth and resilience, that’s not just a dip - it’s a full-blown red flag.
While fans and pundits often brush off poor form as temporary, this series has triggered a larger conversation. Is this the beginning of a transition period? Are India’s batters losing their grip in a format they once dominated at home?
One thing is clear - this wasn’t just a rare stat. It was a loud, uncomfortable wake-up call. The century drought isn’t just a number on paper; it reflects a deeper issue that needs addressing.
Because in Indian cricket, when centuries stop coming at home, it’s more than a dry spell - it’s a storm warning.
Also Watch: Gautam Gambhir puts his job on the line: 'I am not important'
