The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
