The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
