The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed 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 endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
