The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
