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, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
