The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
