The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
