The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
