India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
