India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
