The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up 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 skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
