The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
