India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
