The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
