The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement 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 Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
