India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
