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, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
