India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
