India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
