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 gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
