India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
