The Indian cricket team's surprising 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 handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
