The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
