India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked 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 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
