The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
