The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
