The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
