India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
