The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat 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, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
