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 was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
