The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
