India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
