India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
