The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
