The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
