The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
