India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
