India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
