The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
