India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
