India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
