The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
