The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
