India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
