India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
