The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
