India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display 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 not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for 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 multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
