The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
