The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
