The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
