The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
