The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
