The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
