The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
