The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test 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 South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
