The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
