The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
