India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
