The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
