India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - 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 skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
