The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
