The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, 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 the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
