India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
