India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
