The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv 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.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
