The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
