India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
