India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of 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 defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
