The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
