The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
