The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
