The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
