The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
