The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
