The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
