The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players 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 looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
