The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
