India's surprising 0-2 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 their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
