India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
