The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
