The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
