The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
