The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as 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, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
