India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
