The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
