India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. 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 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
