The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
