The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
