The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent 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 positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
