The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
