India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
