The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press