India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
