The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
