India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
