India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
