India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
