India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
