India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
