The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
