The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
