India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
