The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
