India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
