India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
