The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen 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 significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
