The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
