The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
