India's shocking 0-2 series 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, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
