India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
