The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
