The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
