The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
