The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
