India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
