India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
