The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, 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 vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
