The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
