The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
