The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
