India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
