India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
