The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied 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 latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
