India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
