The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
