The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
