The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
