India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
