India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
