The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
