The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
