The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain 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 couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
