India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
