The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
