India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
