India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
