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.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
