The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
