The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
