India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
