The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
