India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
