The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
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 backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
