The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
