The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent 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 marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
