India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
