India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
