The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays 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 Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
