India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
