India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
