The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
