India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, 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 one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
