The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
