India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded 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, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although 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
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
