The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
