The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks 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 was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
