India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
