The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. 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 invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
