India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
