The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
