The Indian cricket team's surprising 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 a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display 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 not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
