The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
