The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
