The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
