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, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
