The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid 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, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
