The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
