The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But 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 several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
