India's unexpected 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 gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
