India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
