The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
