The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
