The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
