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 gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
