The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
