The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games 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 mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
