India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' 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 last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
