India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked 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 a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
