India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
