The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
