The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
