India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, 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 two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
