The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
