India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
