The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
