The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
