India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
