The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
