India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
