The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
