The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
