The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
