India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented 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 positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
