India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
