The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
