The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
