India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
