India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
