India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years 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 previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
