India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
