The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
