The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
