India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India 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 gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
