India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, 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, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
