India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
