The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
