The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball 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 lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
