India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
