The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
