India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
