The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
