The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
