The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
