The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
