The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
