The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
