India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
