The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
