India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
