India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
