The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
