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, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
