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, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
