India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
