The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
