The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
