The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. 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 the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
