The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly 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 unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
