India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
