India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's 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 winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together 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 enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
