India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win 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.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
