The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
