The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
