The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
