India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
