The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
