The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
