The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against 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 badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
