The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball 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 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
