The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
