India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
