The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
