The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
