The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
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 lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
