The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked 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 invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
