The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
