The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
