India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
