India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century 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 all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
