India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
