India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
