India’s tours to South Africa often resemble familiar primetime soap operas, complete with recurring themes of lost opportunities, false hopes, and rapid implosions. The latest expedition is no exception, unfolding like its predecessors with only the names and characters changing. Whether it’s Sachin Tendulkar’s Centurion masterclass replaced by KL Rahul’s virtuosic hundred or Javagal Srinath giving way to Bumrah, the script follows the well-trodden path. Now, the narrative shifts to Cape Town, a venue that combines the splendor of nature with bitter memories.
Twice before, India arrived in the Western Cape with hopes of conquering the final frontier, only to leave battered. The invisible sentence on the face of Table Mountain seemed to read, “Cape of Missed Chances.” While they are saved from the pain of not winning the series this time, the question arises: under Rahul Dravid, are India regaining their poor traveler’s tag? Recent performances, with five losses in the last six Tests outside the West Indies, suggest a potential concern.
Old flaws have resurfaced, such as sudden collapses, an inconsistent top three, lack of runs down the order, and an over-reliance on individual performances. The upcoming long sojourn Down Under looms large, adding context to this series. The openers’ struggles persist, with India trying different combinations in the last six Tests. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s success in the Caribbean could be forgotten if he falters against quality seamers in challenging conditions.
Youngsters like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer need to step up, adding support to Rahul and Virat Kohli. In Centurion, it was primarily Rahul and Kohli who carried the batting load. The bowling unit also showed vulnerabilities, with only Bumrah and off-spinner Ravi Ashwin making significant contributions.
The bench lacks promising options, and the selectors’ summoning of Avesh Khan reflects a sense of panic. The absence of key players like Shami and Rishabh Pant, coupled with the injury-induced layoff of Mohammed Shami, further weakens the team. Rohit Sharma’s captaincy will be tested in the face of adversity.
While comebacks are not impossible, the odds are against them. The team must draw inspiration from past comeback narratives outside the subcontinent, such as Oval 2021 and Melbourne 2021. However, the condensed format of two-episode Test rubbers robs the audience of the thrill and drama of a true comeback story. With little time to settle and acclimatize, India must quickly address longstanding issues to avoid leaving with another wave of pain and regret from these shores.
