The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
