The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
