The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
