The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
