The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
