The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
