The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory 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 momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
