India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
