India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
