The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
