The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
