The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
