India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
