The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
