India's surprising 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, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
