The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
