The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
