India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
