The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
