The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
