India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
