The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
