The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
