The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
