India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
