India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
