The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
