The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
