The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
