The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
