The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
