India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered 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 ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
