The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
