The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
