The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
