The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. 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 the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
