The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
