The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
