The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
