The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
