India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
